Pay Your Property Taxes Early To Get Deductions While You Can

The Town of Hempstead is encouraging homeowners to pre-pay as much of their 2018 tax bill as they can so that they can still receive State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions before they are significantly reduced next year. And the town's Receiver of Taxes Office is working long post-holiday hours to make sure it's possible.

While others may be taking time off during a week normally set aside for the holidays and ushering in the New Year, Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin said his staff are at the ready to assist and accept payments for those seeking to pay their 2018 general and second-half school taxes before Jan. 1, 2018. By doing so, taxpayers may be eligible to deduct the payments for federal income tax purposes on their 2017 returns. If property owners wait until the 2018 due dates to make their 2018 general and second-half school tax payments, they will likely not be able to deduct the full amount of property taxes on their 2018 returns under the new federal tax code.

"Under the new federal tax code, many Long Islanders are going to lose out on valuable tax deductions,” Clavin said. “In our office, we’ve helped a significant number of taxpayers during the holiday season who are seeking to get the ‘gift’ of a tax deduction before the opportunity runs out."

Clavin’s office has already been encouraging property owners to make early payments of their April 2018 school taxes to facilitate the deduction of the payments on 2017 income tax returns (school taxes are collected twice each year, once in October and again in April). Expanding the type of property taxes that can be pre-paid beyond second half school taxes, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order last week which will now allow the early payment of 2018 general taxes (prior to Jan. 1, 2018). Before the executive order, Nassau County’s Administrative Code prohibited the payment of general taxes in the year prior to the one in which they were due.

Clavin emphasized that homeowners should consult with their tax professionals before pre-paying property taxes to determine their eligibility for deducting both second half school tax and 2018 general tax payments on their 2017 income tax returns.

Clavin noted that his office will not be able to mail general tax bills out before the Jan. 1 deadline for the prepayment of 2018 general taxes since Nassau County has not yet provided the tax warrant upon which bills are issued. However, homeowners may visit the tax office at 200 N. Franklin Street in Hempstead or call the office at 516-538-1500 to receive tax bill amounts.

Temporary tax receipts will be issued to taxpayers making payments in person. Permanent receipts will be mailed subsequently. Those who mail payments that are postmarked prior to Jan. 1 will be return-mailed receipts with the postmarked date as the payment date.

Finally, second-half school tax payments may be made online, while 2018 general tax bill payments will not be eligible for online payment (in person and mail payments only). Clavin asked for patience from taxpayers as the office is expecting large crowds and phone operators anticipate an unusually high call volume.

The hours of operation for the Receiver’s Office are being extended between Wednesday, Dec. 27 and Friday, Dec. 29, and the office will be open for business on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30 and 31. During Wednesday through Friday, the office will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m

Clavin has staff prepared to answer questions about hours of operation, payment locations, payment options (cash, e-Check, credit card, check) and other issues related to the early payment of second half school taxes and 2018 general taxes (staff will not be able to advise property owners on income tax questions, including eligibility for deductions).

Photo: Town of Hempstead