Although Nassau County failed to provide towns with timely data for tax bills, Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato and his staff have worked around the clock to mail all first half General tax bills by January 8th. Homeowners should note that this is the first General tax bill mailed under County Executive Laura Curran’s reassessment and her 2021 property tax hike. While the General tax bill includes amounts for the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County and special districts, the Town of Oyster Bay did not raise taxes in 2021. Any changes in your taxes are due to Nassau County and its reassessment system, which resulted in tax hikes for 65% of homeowners.

 

“My office has worked tirelessly to prepare and mail tax bills after having received untimely data from Nassau County. The Town of Oyster Bay held the line on property taxes for a third straight year, and any change in your town taxes is the result of the County Executive’s reassessment process,” said Receiver Pravato.

 

Residents are reminded that the First Half of the 2021 General Tax Levy was due on January 1st, but can be paid without penalty through February 10th. Please be certain to sign your check, payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes. Indicate your property’s S.D. Code, Section, Block, Lot, and Phone number on the check. Because Nassau County provided untimely data to the towns, Receiver Pravato has written to Governor Cuomo to request a 30 day extension deadline for taxpayers. The Governor has not yet responded, but hope remains that an extension will be granted.

 

“New York State laws allows my office to provide taxpayers with a 40-day penalty free period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty,” added Receiver Pravato. “After the 40 days, State law requires a one percent penalty be added for each month the tax remains unpaid, retroactive to January 1st. Don’t delay, make your payment before February 10th and ensure you aren’t paying more out of pocket than you need to.”

 

During this public health crisis, the Tax Office has been fully operational but has suspended in office interactions. New outdoor walk up windows are available at Town Hall North (74 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay) and at Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa) daily from 9:00am to 4:45pm to assist residents and accept payments with either a check or money order. No cash or credit card payments will be accepted. On February 9th and 10th both offices will be open from 8:00am to 6:00pm. When paying in person, residents are reminded to bring the entire tax bill.

 

Residents who prefer to mail in their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771-1539. Payments being made by mail should include the payment stub. Residents should NOT write on, fold, staple or otherwise deface the tax stub as it can cause the computer system to reject the payment.

 

Taxpayers can access 2021 General tax information at www.oysterbaytown.com. Residents may view tax bills, print out a hard copy, or pay taxes with an ACH check payment or credit/debit card (subject to third party fees, no portion remitted to the Town of Oyster Bay). For more information on property taxes and/or payments, residents may call at (516) 624-6400. Callers are requested to have the school district, section, block and lot numbers of the property in question available. This information is listed on the tax bill and on the property deed.