school taxes due Wed--avoid hundreds of dollars in penalties if late

Greenburgh Town Hall to be open till 7 PM on Wednesday night so you can pay your tax bill in person
If you pay your taxes one day late you will be assessed a 10% penalty--many residents have been assessed $400 dollars or over $1000 -large penalties for being one day late in the past
Town has placed digital sign boards around Central Ave, Old Tarrytown Rd, E Hartsdale Ave reminding residents of tax due date --we are trying hard to remind everyone to pay on time
We're trying to remind everyone!

Every February 1st I get calls from residents of Greenburgh who forgot to pay the second half of the school tax bill on time. They are shocked because the late penalties are so high. Some residents have shared stories - having to pay over $1,000 in late fees for paying taxes one day late. Last year I received a complaint from a resident who was charged over $2,000 in penalties for late payments.

I believe that the late fees (10% for one day late payments) are excessive, would like to see the penalties reduced. But, have been advised repeatedly by the Town Board and Receiver of Taxes that NYS law does not allow waiver of penalties. And the 10% penalty applies to other communities in Westchester.

The town of Greenburgh and school districts are independent of each other. But, we collect school taxes for them. School taxes are technically due by September 30th of each year. But local governments, including Greenburgh, give taxpayers the ability to pay the 2nd half in January. Taxpayers don't receive a 2nd tax bill since they already received the bill in September. This year the tax office will be sending out reminders. I want to step up the reminder process and asked the police department to use digital boards --posting reminders so taxpayers won't forget.

Under NYS law you are responsible for paying your taxes even if you did not receive a bill in the mail. In the past taxpayers have had to pay the penalties even if they have had legitimate excuses. A while back I tried (WITHOUT SUCCESS) getting a penalty waived because of major health reasons: We have not been able to waive penalties for taxpayers who have legitimate excuses: spouses who were in hospitals dying of cancer (as an example), terminal illnesses causing taxpayers to forget to pay on time, etc...

https://greenburghny.com/190/Tax-Department

WHAT TAXPAYERS WHO WERE CHARGED LARGE PENALTIES SAID LAST YEAR AFTER BEING TOLD THAT THE HAD TO PAY HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PENALTIES FOR FORGETTING TO PAY ON TIME

"I’d like to know the best way to plead mercy on the tax penalty of 10% on my 2nd Installment. I am astonished to see this on my latest bill.""Never would I imagine this would apply, which is over $400"."I was traveling for work this weekend and had every intension to pay, as I have for the last 5 years.Upon arriving home from Albany Monday night, 1/31, I was taking an online professional exam which lasted until 7pm. Took care of dinner and put my son down. I just forgot.Checked the bill today and I’m a wreck. With the rising ConEd bills, over 40% I’m getting killed. We have a baby on the way in July." "We have been living in Greenburgh since 1999. In the past, we have been paying taxes as part of our mortgage. Now, since we don't have the mortgage, we are receiving a separate bill. We have paid September bill. Now we have received a bill with the penalty of $775.23 !!!!. I just called and spoke with the Tax Receiver asking to wave the Penalty. said that he can't do it." "And this now includes a $763.03 10% PENALTY. Wow.""costing me $775.23. That is a LOT of money."Some taxpayers have threatened to sue the town. Hasn't happened because they probably wouldn't win. This is one e mail excerpt I got."Since there are is no ex-facto legal recourse, even if the lawsuit succeeds I am still screwed as well as all the others. The one suing party may succeed, all the rest are in the nearest sewer. Talk about autocracy."Bottom line is this: Pay your tax bill by January 31st and avoid a penalty. Tell your neighbors. Tell your friends. Pay on time. I will continue to push to reduce the penalties --which I think are outrageous and unfair. PAUL FEINERGreenburgh Town Supervisor