Hempstead Town Is First On LI To Offer Property Tax Autopay

Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin unveiled his office's new AutoPay system, making Hempstead the first town on Long Island that will allow residents to have their tax payments automatically taken from their accounts.

Hempstead Town residents can set up the system with just a few clicks, eliminating future trips to Clavin's office and the need to mail in future tax payment checks.

“I am happy that my office is again leading the way for other local governments by taking advantage of the latest technological advances in order to make life easier for our taxpayers," Clavin said. "Now homeowners can ‘set it and forget it’ when it comes to paying property taxes with AutoPay.”

The AutoPay property tax payment system allows subscribers to have their school and general tax payments made automatically by their stored payment method. A charge against the credit card or an automatic bank withdrawal from their checking account will be made twice a year for school tax payments and two times annually for general taxes. Property owners will receive a reminder email notification 10 days prior to the charge.

The transactions will occur approximately 10 days prior to the end of each penalty-free tax collection period. There will be no charge to register for the program, but payments by credit card and e-check will be subject to a convenience fee, of which no portion goes to the Town of Hempstead.

“Many people enjoy the convenience of AutoPay features when dealing with a variety of recurring expenses from cable TV subscriptions and car payments to landscape maintenance contracts and student loans,” Clavin said. “Now, homeowners can deal with property tax bills in the same manner, no longer worrying about remembering to make tax payments on time or being anxious over the prospect of a check being lost in the mail.”

To register for the Hempstead Town Receiver’s “AutoPay” system, just click here. Users must have a valid email address, their property ID number (this can be found on all tax bills), a credit card number or a bank checking account routing number.

AutoPay is not the only system Clavin has introduced this year to make paying taxes easier. In January, the Hempstead Town Receiver’s office became the first in New York to offer e-Billing, allowing residents to have their tax bills delivered electronically via email with an option to go paperless.

Photo courtesy Donald Clavin's office