The Daily Freeman is reporting new applicants to the School Tax Relief program, also known as STAR, will now receive a credit in the form of a check directly from the state instead of a school property tax exemption, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. Property owners who filed for the exemption with the local assessor for their 2016 schools taxes, must register for the STAR check by visiting www [dot] tax [dot] NY [dot] gov, or call (518) 457-2036. Those registered by July 1 will receive their STAR check in September. To qualify for basic STAR, you must own your home and it must be your primary residence, and have a combined household income of $500,000 or less. Anyone in need of assistance can contact their local assessor.