Jefferson County New York Property Tax
Jefferson County, New York, has an average tax rate of 1.68%, meaning residents pay an average of $1,961.00 in property tax per year.
Written by Laura Salvas
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The average tax rate in Jefferson County, New York, is 1.68%, meaning residents pay an average of $1,961.00 in property tax annually. The state average is significantly lower, at 1.23%.
Owning a home comes with its share of stresses, especially when it comes to the varying rates of property taxes. Navigating property tax can be as complicated as that perpetual motion machine in
Watertown
’s Salmon Run Mall, but it doesn’t mean you’ll never understand them! To help shed some light on what property taxes are for and how you can pay them,
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Property tax 101
If paying property tax is new to you, here’s a quick breakdown:
- Property tax is used to fund community services and public works. Your local government collects these taxes and reinvests them in things like hospitals, schools, and fire services.
- Property tax is paid on real property, which is property that cannot be moved, such as land, homes, and buildings.
- Your local tax assessor determines the tax rate, taking into consideration the local tax rate and market values.
- Fluctuating market conditions and local budgets can result in the tax rate changing frequently.
Property tax is, in essence, a way for people who have settled in a community to reinvest in that community, with taxes going to services the local government believes are to everyone’s benefit.
What is the property tax rate in Jefferson County?
The average property tax rate in Jefferson County, New York, is 1.68%. This is quite a bit higher than the state average of 1.23% and the national average of 1.1%.
How Jefferson County property taxes are determined
County assessors start by updating the
tax rolls
, which is a list of all real estate in a particular neighborhood. A home’s location, size, age, and other factors are considered, and a market value is assigned. Cities and townships then decide upon their tax rates, which tie into their yearly budget. The estimated property value is multiplied by the tax rate, resulting in the property tax.
The
valuation date
for all real property is July 1, meaning this is the day the assessor provides the final assessment of your property. If there is going to be a change to the assessment of your property, you will be informed in May (unless you live in
Watertown
, where you will be informed in January). If you would like to file a grievance
, you should contact your town assessor
before the end of that month.Property owners will be notified of the results of any grievance by July 1 (March 31 in Watertown) and then have an opportunity to file a
small claims assessment review
or tax certiorari proceeding in Supreme Court. What do Jefferson County property taxes pay for?
Jefferson County property taxes are put back into the community and used to fund services, including:
- Public schools
- Libraries
- Firefighters
- Streetlights
- Law enforcement
- Roads and highways
- Sewage treatment
- City infrastructure
- Recreational services and playgrounds
- Hospitals
- Safety measures
- Other public works meant to serve the community
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How to pay property taxes in Jefferson County
There are a few ways to pay your property taxes in Jefferson County:
- Online: Before you make an online payment, you should call the County Treasurer's office at 315-785-3055. They will confirm the proper tax amounts owing. Once you’ve gotten the go-ahead from the office, you canpay your property taxes through the Jefferson County website. Ensure your parcel number or 911 address is in the ID section of the form. Online eCheck or credit card payments are subject to a 3% plus $0.69 service fee. American Express is not accepted.
- By mail: Make your check or money order payable to Jefferson County Treasurer, include your parcel number, and send it to 175 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601.
- In person: Stop by the County Treasurer’s office at 175 Arsenal Street in Watertown to pay in person. Payments can be made between 9:00 am and 4:45 pm September through June or between 8:30 am and 3:45 pm in July and August.
- Through your mortgage: Check with your mortgage lender if you would like them to take care of your tax for you. Remember, it is still your responsibility to ensure they receive your tax bill and that your taxes are actually paid.
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FAQs
What if I receive a tax bill for a property I no longer own?
Only one tax bill is sent out per property. If you receive a bill for a property you have since sold, please forward your tax bill to the new owner of the property, or return it to the return address located on the bill.
How do I know if I owe back taxes?
Call the Jefferson County Treasurer at 315-785-3055 for any questions about owed property taxes.
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