Tax Information


 

Kate Newton
Receiver of Taxes
Phone:
(716) 674-5600 ext. 4
Email:  Online Receiver of Taxes Submission
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM

 

PAY TAXES ONLINE - Important information regarding online payments listed below

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When are taxes due?
Town & County tax bills are mailed mid-January and are due February 15th without penalty (next business day if due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday). 
School tax bills are mailed mid-September and are due October 15th without penalty (next business day if due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday)

What happens if I don't pay my taxes by the due date?
A postage meter postmark is NOT a postmark made by the United State Post Office and, therefore, is not within the provisions of Real Property Tax law, Section 925.  Payments cannot be deemed timely because of a postage meter postmark date on an envelope containing tax payment (Op. State Compt. 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 and no town employee or official can waive the penalty (Op. State Compt. 68-626).

When are taxes turned over to Erie County?
Town and County taxes are turned over to Erie County on July 1st, School taxes are turned over to Erie County on December 1st. Payment must then be made to Erie County. Any School tax not paid by December 31st will be relevied to the following Town and County tax bill.

Can I make partial payments on my taxes?
Yes! Partial payments are accepted in the office. Payments can be made in any amount and as often as desired as long as the tax bills are payable to this office. Penalty is added to the unpaid balance after the due date.  No, partial payments cannot be made online.

When should I receive my tax bill?
Tax bills are generally mailed out around the end of the second week of the month prior to the due date. Sometimes there are unforeseen situations that may delay the mailing of tax bills.

What should I do if I don't receive my tax bill?
Contact the Town Clerk's Office immediately to confirm the mailing address is correct and that a bank has not requested your bill.

If I don't receive a tax bill, am I still responsible to pay the taxes and penalties (if applicable)?
Yes! Per Erie County tax law 922.3: The failure to mail any such statement, or the failure of the addressee to receive the same, shall not in any way affect the validity of the taxes or interest prescribed by law with respect thereto.

My taxes are in escrow and I received the bill.  What should I do?
Contact your bank immediately. Banks are required to request, in writing, all tax bills they are holding in escrow. They will give you instructions on how they want to handle it.

What type of payment is accepted for taxes?
Cash or Check.
Credit  Cards are also accepted for payment at the Town Clerks office or through this website through the On-Line Tax Portal.  CONVENIENCE FEES (2.45% of the total tax bill) will be applied to Credit Cards.
E-checks are also accepted for payment through this website through the Online-Tax Portal with a $1.75 CONVENIENCE FEE.

Can I use my personal online bank for a payment?
We discourage the use of online banking for taxpayments (i.e. Bill Pay) because there is not a guarantee your payment will be delivered to us by the due date.  Online banking mail does NOT contain a US  postage postmark date on the envelope.  If you utilize online banking, you do so at your own risk.

Who do I make my check out to?
Kate Newton, Receiver of Taxes

Where can I pay my property taxes?
Taxes can be mailed to Kate Newton, West Seneca Town Clerk/Receiver of Taxes, 1250 Union Road, Room 212, West Seneca, NY 14224
Taxes are accepted at the Town Clerk's office during regular business hours.
Taxes can also be paid on this website using a Credit card, Debit card or e-check (CONVENIENCE FEES apply).  A secure drop box for check payments has been placed in the lower vestibule of Town Hall.  

Can I pay my taxes over the phone?
Tax payments cannot be accepted over the phone. Please see payment locations.

If I mail my payment on the due date do I have to pay a penalty?

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 deposited in a post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United State Post Office shall, upon deliver, be deemed to have been made to such officer on the date of the United State 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 the provisions of Real Property Tax Law §925.  Payments cannot be deemed timely because of a postage meter mark date on an envelope containing a tax payment (Op. New York State Comptroller 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 § 925 of the Real Property Tax Law, and the interest must be added and collected.  No Town Officials or employees can waive the interest (Op. New York State Comptroller 68-626).

How do I get a duplicate tax bill or receipt?
Tax bills and receipts can be printed from this website at no charge. Tax bills or receipts can also be obtained through the Town Clerk's office.

Am I entitled to any exemptions on my property?
All exemptions are handled through the Assessors's Office.  Please contact them directly at (716) 558-3212.

PAY TAXES ONLINE