Tax Collector FAQ’s

Who do I make my check out to?
All checks should be made payable to Danielle Cowin, Tax Collector
Can I print my bill from my computer?
You can use the online tax system to view and print your property taxes. Click Here to Access the Online Tax System.
I will be out of Town for this year’s Property Tax Collection. What can I do?
You can use the online tax system to view and print your property taxes. Click Here to Access the Online Tax System. Also, the tax collector can mail, fax or email your bill to you. Call 518.664.6148 x205
Can I pay my school taxes at the town hall?
No, You must contact your school district office for all school tax questions.
If we have paid off our mortgage or refinanced, will you send my bill to the new bank?
Many residents have their taxes escrowed with lending institutions. It is the responsibility of the lender to notify this office prior to the mailing of bills that they will make payment. In the event that a request list is not received prior to our mailing, the bills are mailed as addressed and becomes the responsibility of the owner to notify his/her lender. All changes of information to a tax bill is done through the Assessor’s Office and until this office receives these changes the tax bill will remain the same. If a bill is mailed to a former owner they are supposed to forward the bill to the new owner, or return it to this office. This does not always occur. It you are a new owner, it would be wise to contact this office if you do not receive your bill by the second week of January. If you have a lender, contact them to make certain they requested your bill for payment. The Property Tax Bills are printed from the Assessor’s records. For changes of mailing status please call the Assessor’s Office at 518.664.6148 x204
Can I pre-pay my property tax bill?
No. By law the Property Tax Office cannot collect any tax until after January 1st of each year.
Where can I pay my property tax bill?
NO in person payments accepted

• Use LOCKED Drop Box located outside the Townhall (place in an envelope with your name)
• Mail Payment (check or money order payable to Danielle Cowin) Town Property Tax Collector, PO Box 718, Stillwater, NY 12170
BSNB no longer accepts property tax payments for the town.

When will I receive my property tax bill?
The Property Tax Bill is mailed on or about December 31st each year. If you do not receive the bill by January 9th, call the Property Tax Office at 518.664.6148 x205.
Do I qualify for any exemptions?
All exemptions are processed by the Assessor’s Office. For information please call 518.664.6148 x204.
I never received my bill, or received it late, do I still have to pay a 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 (NYS RPTL 922). In addition, neither the Tax Collector nor any other Town official has legal authority to waive statutory penalty charges. These are fixed by the Real Property Tax Law (RPTL). 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
If I mail my payment on the due date do I have to pay a penalty?
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 the provisions of Real Property Tax Law 925. Payments cannot be deemed timely because of a postage meter postmark date on an envelope containing a tax payment (Op. New York State Com. 68-626).
Do you mail out late notices?
During the first week of March, a late notice of all unpaid tax bills is sent to the owner, and his/her lender if one is indicated on the bill. This notice is to advise you of the March 31st final date of acceptance at this office. Thereafter, all payments are to be made payable to the Saratoga County Treasurer. You must phone their office prior to sending any payments at 518.884.4724.
What is the amount due for my property taxes?
Property tax bills show the months that payment may be made and the amounts that apply to each month. If payment is made in January, there is no penalty, the amount shown is the total due for the year. If payment is made in February, a one percent penalty is added to the total amount due. If payment is made in March, a two percent penalty is added to the total amount due, plus an additional $2.00 late fee or service charge
What do I do if I paid my school taxes to the county and the re-levy is on my property tax bill?
If you made payment of a school relevy to the County Treasurer prior to January, and the relevy is shown on your tax bill, subtract this amount from your total amount due and send payment of the balance, as well as the copy for this office given to you by the Treasurer’s office. Remember, if paying in February add 1% penalty, if March add 2% penalty plus $2.00 late fee.
Can I make a partial payment?
No partial payments are accepted. Payment amount must be exact, please make certain your check is correctly written out and correct numbers match the spelling.