Hempstead Town Notebook: Town's Tax Payment Options

A weekly look-in at news from around the Town of Hempstead.

Posted by Matthew Hogan (Editor), April 4, 2012 at 10:02 pm

Town Announces Tax Payment Options

As the deadline for paying the second half 2011-2012 school taxes approaches, Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin is offering a variety of payment options for taxpayers. Individuals who prefer to make payments in person can go to the town's two satellite offices, the mobile tax office and the EZ-Pay drive thru payment windows located behind the Town Receiver's office in Hempstead. In addition, tax bills can be paid by credit card or e-check, online or via telephone. Tax payments received or postmarked by May 10 will be penalty-free.

The E-Z Pay drive thru payment windows will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1-4 and May 7-10. Only checks and money order payments are accepted at this facility.

A convenience fee of 2.5 percent of the total tax payment will be incurred for credit card payments. A flat fee of $2 will be charged for electronic check payments. Hempstead Town receives no portion of these fees.

Office hours at the main tax office, located at 200 North Franklin St. in Hempstead, will be extended during peak collection times. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 1-4 and May 7-10. The main office accepts all forms of payment and can provide taxpayers with assistance regarding account inquiries.

The town's two satellite offices are located at Rock Hall Museum (199 Broadway in Lawrence) and Levittown Hall (201 Levittown Parkway in Hicksville). The satellite offices will be open to receive tax payments (checks and money orders only) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 4 and May 7-10.

The mobile tax office will visit the following locations from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.:

Tuesday, May 1: Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
Wednesday, May 2: Town Parking Lot O-3 , Davison Ave., Oceanside
Thursday, May 3: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
Friday, May 4: Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square

Taxpayers should bring their entire tax bill when making payments in person. Tax stubs should not be detached from the bill. For further information visit the town's website or contact the Office of Receiver of Taxes at (516) 538-1500.

Comments + Leave a Comment

Robert Demarco April 8, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Maybe I'm an old fashion kind of guy, but what is wrong with simply mailing in the tax payment? These other methods cost more money, and the mail works fine. This is another example where less would be more.

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John April 8, 2012 at 12:27 pm

Agreed Robert however payment online is a great option and very cost effective. All these payment centers and drive thru windows are a waste of money.

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Jon L. April 8, 2012 at 01:41 pm

I like to pay my bill McDonalds style at the drive up window. The pen with Don's name on it is just a bonus. I love that my tax dollars go to his self promoting. It's awesome.

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Mac April 8, 2012 at 02:23 pm

I see no downside with giving people more options on how to pay their bill. I am sure people have different circumstances in life that would require last minute payments at a center instead of mailing it. Even when politicians try to do the right thing for people they get slack.

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Louie April 8, 2012 at 02:53 pm

Exactly how much is it costing Tax Payers for these payment options?We should be looking to save money not spend more. Our taxes are high enough.

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Mac April 8, 2012 at 04:22 pm

You cant make everyone happy. Regardless of what gets done someone will alwyas complain. So much for trying to make life easier and give people a chance to pay taxes using multiple methods. If you think these thirty or so hours from the satellites raises your taxes then perhaps we need to re-think living here.Just giving people a chance to pay penalty free and actually get money into where it belongs Getting the taxes on time outweighs the fees for all while getting the money to where it belongs. This is such a little piece of anything why would it matter.

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Ken Novak April 8, 2012 at 04:27 pm

Considering the high percentage of our incomes that go to property taxes maybe it is time that another option is offered. Monthly tax payments would make it easier for those of us who do not pay our taxes through a bank to keep up on our tax obligation. A discount could be offered as an incentive for the tax payer and the early payments would help the County and Town as well....making it a win-win situation.

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Brian Levy April 8, 2012 at 05:10 pm

The Tax bills are due April 1. For years now, we don't receive our notices until a week later! When I called the Town's Tax people, they blame this delay on the County-the town receives the 'calculations' from the county -late. It seems this delay is built into their system. Let's start fixing this first- get our bills mailed out in time. If they can't do this-have them push out the date due- or maybe get a new Tax Collector.

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terry April 8, 2012 at 10:18 pm

Brian, you due realize you get your Bill in October with a first and second half stub, right? Bills, if late, are when they go out October 1st. And unlike Robert, I like to pay my taxes in person, as dues thousands of others. I like the option and Mr. Clavin said they don't cost a penny more, just using existing staff and no overtime.

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Brian Levy April 9, 2012 at 12:25 am

Terry, you are correct, the first half bill was due Oct 1 and provides a stub for the second half now due. Although the first half was "due" Oct 1, 2011 the post mark is dated Oct 4, 2011 and I probably received it one or two days later. This administrative delay is further duplicated for our General Tax bills which are mailed out (late) in alternating quarters. I realize they give us 40 days 'without penalty' but the county and the town have these big computers and very talented personnel, if they won't fix this built in delay - its really a joke.

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Robert Demarco April 9, 2012 at 12:13 pm

I would think that the cost of an online option via a credit card would carry a fee to be paid by the taxpayer, ala the IRS.

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Robert Demarco April 9, 2012 at 12:14 pm

You got it, Jon. Its all about self-promotion at Town Hall.

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An tUasal Airgead April 9, 2012 at 03:46 pm

Taxpayers using credit cards will incur a convenience fee of 2.5% of their total tax payment. A flat fee of $2.00 will be charged for electronic check payments.
http://townofhempstead.org/online-tax-payments

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Jon L. April 10, 2012 at 02:35 am

I had someone tell me that the bill is not 'due' until May 10th, corrected them and explined the difference between due and penalty free. It was lost on that person. She happeded to identify herself as 'Angie' and claimed to be a deputy, I laughed at her not understanding.

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