2019-20 SCHOOL TAX RATE IS $22.790865 AND THE LIBRARY IS $1.136495
WE WILL BE ACCEPTING LOW INCOME SENIOR EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS FROM SEPTEMBER 3rd TO OCTOBER 11th IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS. OCTOBER 15th TO MARCH 1, 2020: PROCEED TO THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR.
7/1/2019: Final Assessment Roll is completed. It is available at the Library, the Assessor's Office, www.northtonawanda.org and niagaracounty.com/realproperty
IF YOU ARE PURCHASING A HOME IN NORTH TONAWANDA, PLEASE CALL THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AND CHECK TO SEE IF THE OWNER HAS EXEMPTIONS THAT WILL BE PRO-RATED, WHICH MEANS YOU AS THE PURCHASER HAVE TO PAY PART OF THE EXEMPTIONS BACK BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO THE THEM. IF THE PROPERTY IS AN ESTATE, THE REMAINDERMEN ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY BACK PART OF THE PRO- RATAS UP TO THE CLOSING DATE. PLEASE ASK YOUR ATTORNEY AND REALTOR TO CHECK THE EXEMPTIONS.
SCAM: LETTERS ARE BEING MAILED (SAYING THEY ARE THE CENSUS BUREAU). THEY ASK FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (NEVER GIVE YOUR S.SEC. NO. OUT), OR BANK NUMBERS, OR CREDIT CARD NUMBERS. THERE IS A CENSUS BEING DONE FOR 2020. IF YOU RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE 2020 CENSUS BUREAU, MAKE SURE YOU ARE FILLING OUT THE LEGIT FORMS. THE CENSUS BUREAU WILL NEVER ASK FOR S.S. NUMBERS. THEY WILL SEND A RETURN ENVELOPE.
CHANGES FROM N.Y.S. DEPT. of TAX & FINANCE: RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOT ON THE INCOME VERIFICATION PROGRAM FOR THE ENHANCED STAR, WILL BE FILLING OUT (2) NEW FORMS: RP-425-E OR RP-425 RNWL. AND A RP-425 IVP. THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST TIME SIGNING UP FOR ENHANCED STAR.
IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM N.Y.S. REGARDING THE STAR CREDIT OR TAX FREEZE CREDIT, PLEASE BRING THE LETTER TO THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE SO WE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS CORRECTLY.
WILL YOU BE 65 BY DECEMBER 31, 2020? IF SO; YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO THE ENHANCED STAR EXEMPTION. (INCOME CAP $88,050) USING 2018 INCOME. CALL US FOR DETAILS. APPLY BY TAXABLE STATUS DATE (MARCH 1, 2020).
2020 ENHANCED STAR SENIORS ON THE "INCOME VERIFICATION PROGRAM" (IVP) WITH NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; N.Y.STATE WILL CONTACT YOU IF THERE IS A PROBLEM VERIFYING YOUR INCOME FROM YOUR 2018 TAX RETURN. IF YOU DO NOT FILE A TAX RETURN,THEY WILL CONTACT YOU WITH A LETTER THAT YOU SHOULD REPLY TO WITHIN 5 DAYS. EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY TAXABLE STATUS DATE WHICH IS (MARCH 1, 2020).
IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING BASIC & ENHANCED STAR
AS OF MARCH 2, 2015 NEW HOMEOWNERS WILL NO LONGER APPLY TO THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE FOR THE BASIC & ENHANCED STAR.YOU NEED TO APPLY WITH NEW YORK STATE. IF YOU ARE LOW INCOME SENIOR (65) INCOME CAPS AT ($28,499.99) OR ON DISABILITY (CAPS AT 26,899.99) OR A VETERAN; YOU NEED TO APPLY IN THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A CHECK FOR STAR FROM NYS, REGISTER ONLINE www.tax.ny.gov/star If you are having trouble, put the website in the URL (address box) OR CALL: 1-518-457-2036 PLEASE REGISTER by July 1, 2019 to receive a Check from N.Y.S. by September, but you still have until December 31, 2019 to apply. The check can be used as a third party check to pay the school tax bill in the Treasurer's Office unless you have an escrow account with your bank. SOME BANKS ARE EXCEPTING THE CHECKS FOR YOUR ESCROW ACCOUNT.