Show All Answers

1. What payment methods do you accept?

Cash or personal checks. The tax office does not accept a credit card payments.

2. I live in the Town of Bethlehem but my children go to Guilderland (or Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk or Bethlehem) schools. Who collects my school taxes?

The Town of Bethlehem no longer collects school taxes. Please contact the respective school district for information regarding school taxes. School Tax payments for the residents in the Bethlehem School District are being collected by BCSD. For assistance relating to your bill, please contact the Bethlehem School Business office at 439-7481, ext 31922 or visit their website at www.bethlehemschools.org. School Tax payments for the Ravena Coeyman Selkirk School District are being collected by RCS. For questions regarding your current bill please contact them at 756-5200 ext. 6000, or visit their website at www.rcscsd.org for assistance. School Tax payments for the Guilderland Central School District are being collected by GCS. For questions regarding your current bill please contact them at 456-6200, or visit their website at www.guilderlandschools.org for assistance. Thank you.

3. Do I qualify for the STAR exemption?

You would need to ask the Assessor's Office. They administer all exemptions, including STAR, veterans, and seniors, etc. Please call 518-439-4955, ext. 1104, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4. I just refinanced (or satisfied) the mortgage on my home. Do I need to let your office know this?

Yes. Since we mail the tax bills, we need to know where to correctly mail your tax bill. If you satisfied your mortgage, we need to mail your tax bill to you. If you refinanced, we need to know the new lender's information. Incorrect mailing of a tax bill does not negate the late payment penalty.

5. We will be selling our home soon. Is there anything I need to tell your office?

Yes. We like to get new owner information. Also, the Public Works Department needs the water meter reading to determine your portion of the water bill for the closing adjustment for your lawyer. Contact their Customer Service Department at 518-439-4955, option 1, then option 2, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

6. We will be purchasing a home in the Town of Bethlehem soon. Is there anything we need to tell your office?

Yes. We need to know owner names, bank escrow information, and your home and daytime telephone numbers.

7. Can you tell me exactly what my next property tax bill will be?

No, we don't receive the property tax rates from the county until just before the bills are ready to be produced.

8. Where can I obtain notary services? What information must I provide to get a document notarized? Are there any fees involved?

Notary services are offered in the tax office, as well as the Town Clerk's office. A person must bring proof of identification (driver's license, passport, or other forms of identification) to get a document notarized. There are fees for this service.

9. I’m doing my income tax forms and I cannot find my property tax receipt. Where can I find out how much I paid?

You can view the Image Mate Online website. You can find the amounts that were paid; you don’t need an actual receipt to file your taxes.

10. I never received my bill or received it late; do I still have to pay the penalty?

Yes, the failure to mail a statement or the failure of a property owner to receive a statement will not affect the validity of the taxes or interest prescribed by law (New York State Real Property Tax Law §922). In addition, neither the receiver of taxes nor any other official has legal authority to waive statutory penalty charges.

These are fixed by the Real Property Tax Law. If they are waived, the collecting officer will be personally responsible. As all records are audited by state examiners; there is absolutely no discretion in this matter. The Constitution and the law of the state mandates the procedure.