News and Notices

IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL PROPERTY TAXPAYERS REGARDING STAR — NEW CHANGE IN NEW YORK STATE 2020 BUDGET

 In the 2020 NYS Budget, it was enacted that BASIC STAR BENEFITS WILL BE DENIED to property owners who are delinquent on their County, Town, Village, City or School property taxes for more than one year. 

All delinquent taxpayers who are behind on their taxes and all delinquent installment contract holders who are behind on their payment schedules must bring their accounts current by JUNE 22, 2020 to keep their STAR in 2021. 

Delinquent taxes and delinquent installment contract payments should be paid to the Oswego County Treasurer’s Office.  Payments are not accepted on Foreclosed properties.

If you pay your taxes late but pay your taxes in full (being current), you may become eligible to get BASIC STAR in the future year.  Once a taxpayer loses the reduction from the school tax bill (STAR EXEMPTION), the taxpayer can only receive a STAR check with future eligibility if prior taxes have been paid in full.  (This means that the Town & County Tax Bills – issued in January, as well as applicable City Taxes which are issued in April – must be kept current at all times to keep Basic STAR.  Unpaid Village and School Property Taxes, as well as other Relevies are accounted for the on the January Tax Bill.)

 All inquiries regarding STAR and ENHANCED STAR should be directed to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.  Their phone number is 518-457-2036 and their normal office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.  More information may be obtained at:  https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/

Assessment grievance process 2020

Please read and follow the instructions outlined below for the 2020 grievance process.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re closing the office for all public access. As a result there will be no in person access to either the assessor or the board of assessment review. This is not a choice that was made lightly. The town wants everyone to remain safe during the outbreak. As a result some procedural changes must be made for this year.

If you wish to speak to the assessor regarding your assessment you must call the number on the change of assessment notice. You must make the call during the hours listed on the notice. The assessor will discuss your questions and concerns and recommend steps you may take. Please do not come to the town hall. YOU MAY NOT COME INTO THE OFFICE. THERE WILL BE NO IN PERSON MEETINGS WITH THE ASSESSOR FOR 2020.

To file a grievance with the board of assessment review you must submit your complaint in writing either on or before the day the board meets. Grievance day details are listed on the change of assessment notice. In order to file a written complaint that the board can review there are some important things you must do:

  • YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT FORM RP-524 FOR EACH PROPERTY YOU WISH TO FILE A GRIEVANCE ON.
  • Please submit any relevant information with the application form. A narrative describing the reasons you disagree with the assessed value, photos or recent appraisals can be very helpful.
  • Please include a phone number so the board can contact you, if necessary, while deliberating your grievance.

Please do not come to the town hall. YOU MAY NOT COME INTO THE OFFICE. THERE WILL BE NO IN PERSON MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW FOR 2020.  

If you have any questions please call the assessor.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Form RP-524
Form RP-524 — Instructions

COVID-19 Resources

With the prevalence of COVID-19 still on the increase, the following compilation may be a useful list for news and resources:

World Health Organization – Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/

Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen

United Nations page on COVID-19
https://hr.un.org/page/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

New York State Department of Health – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/HeHeal
Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html

Oswego County Health Department
https://health.oswegocounty.com

Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a Disaster Emergency in the State of New York, which may be found here:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-202-declaring-disaster-emergency-state-new-york