Any questions regarding exemptions should be directed to the Assessor's office.

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.

New York State Real Property Tax Law §925, provides as follows: "Payment of taxes by mail, when enclosed in a postpaid wrapper (envelope) properly addressed to the appropriate collecting officer and is deposited in a post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States Post Office shall, upon delivery, be deemed to have been made to such officer on the date of the United States Postmark on such wrapper. The provisions of this section shall not apply in the case of postmarks not made by the United States Post Office. A postage meter postmark is not a postmark made by the United States Post Office and, therefore, is not within in the provisions of Real Property Tax Law §925. Payments can not be deemed timely because of a postage meter postmark date on an envelope containing a tax payment (Op. New York State Comp. 69-170).

If taxes are not received until after the due date, they are not paid until after the due date unless they fall squarely within the provisions of section 925 of the Real Property Tax Law, and the penalty must be added and collected. No Town official or employee can waive the penalty (Op. New York State Comp. 68-626).

Section 925-b on the New York State Real Property Tax Law grants homeowners who have an Enhanced Star Exemption or a Senior Citizens Exemption an additional five buisness days beyond the due date in January and September to pay their taxes without penalty.

Yes, the Town of Colonie Tax Office accepts online payments through FIS Pay Direct payment portal. The following online payment methods are accepted:

• Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express
• Electronic check

Online payments service fees are as follows:

• Electronic check: $1.95 per transaction
• All debit and credit cards: 2.95%

The Town of Colonie Tax Department does not issue rebate checks.The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance issues the STAR rebate check and the property tax freeze credit check. All inquiries regarding these checks should be made to New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at (518) 457-2036. To learn more, visit NYS property tax freeze credit website. For additional information regarding the STAR program, visit the NYS STAR program website

In general, taxes can not be made in installments. This is an option that would have to be adopted first by Albany County, then by the Town of Colonie and School Districts. If it were to be adopted by the school districts, all five school districts within the Town would have to adopt it. However, Senior Citizens who currently enjoy a Senior Citizen's Exemption, Section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law, (not to be confused with the STAR Exemption), can make installment payments on the General Property Tax bill in January. It has to be made in two equal installments, the first not later than February 1 and, provided that the first installment has been paid, the second, with interest as determined pursuant to Section 924-a, shall be paid prior to April 1. Again, this is the only type of installment payment that can be made. It applies only to residents who currently enjoy a Senior Citizen's Exemption and only on the January General Tax bill.

No, the warrant constitutes the mantle of authority for the collecting officer to receive the taxes. Therefore, the warrant must be regarded as the instrument which empowers the collecting officer to begin the collection. Collection authority can not begin prior to the delivery of the warrant.