County Executive Reminds Taxpayers of Tax Amnesty Program

Delinquent Property Listing Now Available on County Website

County Executive Mike Breslin reminded taxpayers today of the tax amnesty program, which provides an opportunity to clear past due taxes at a lowered interest rate through November 30th.

The tax amnesty program, approved by the County Legislature in July, began on September 1st and cuts the interest rate on delinquent municipal and school real property taxes owed to Albany County in half. There is no reduction in principal, legal fees or out-of-pocket municipal expenses such as code enforcement or water and sewer charges levied onto yearly bills. 

During the first month of the program, the County received more than $2.4 million in delinquent payments on 895 parcels, over a 99 percent increase from the same month in 2008. In September of last year, the County collected $1.2 million on 416 parcels.

Breslin said, "The County implemented the tax amnesty program to accelerate delinquent tax payments and the first month has proven to be successful to bring additional cash flow to the County during these difficult economic times. We hope taxpayers will continue to take advantage of this one time opportunity over the next month and a half to clear their bills now." 

A listing of delinquent properties has been posted on the County website at http://www.albanycounty.com/finance/_tax-amnesty.asp.

The filing of foreclosure judgments and deeds are suspended during the tax amnesty period. In December, foreclosure actions will resume. All taxes due that are older than 2007 will be foreclosed in 2010. Notices of Foreclosure will be mailed on October 29th providing a 90-day period to redeem prior to judgment. 

Auction dates have been scheduled for May and October 2010 to sell any parcels taken in foreclosure. Information on those auctions will be posted at www.albanycounty.com/auction as it becomes available.

Anyone who wants to pay delinquent property and school taxes due to Albany County is eligible for the tax amnesty program. You do not need to be the property owner to pay the taxes. Mortgage holders, lienholders, leaseholders and others having a property interest may pay delinquent taxes to preserve rights to the property. However, please note that delinquent taxes are enforced against the property, not the owner. Change in ownership will not stop the County's foreclosure actions if taxes remain unpaid in December. 

This is not a tax lien sale. Some municipalities choose to sell their liens in order to generate up-front cash. Albany County does not sell its tax liens.

The County mails "Delinquency Notices" and "Notice of Arrears" letters yearly, as well as working with local collectors to notify taxpayers on their January property tax bills. The County uses title searches as a last step in the collection process, sending notices to all owners and lienholders that appear in the public record.

The County's focus on collection efforts have reduced the number of properties coming into foreclosure each year. Presently, over 95% unpaid tax bills received each year are collected prior to foreclosure.

The tax amnesty program was implemented as part of Breslin's plan to address this year's budget gap of nearly $20 million due largely to a decline in sales tax revenues and state budget cuts.

For more information visit the Division of Finance website at  www.albanycounty.com/finance or call 518-447-7083.

Delinquent Property Tax Collections
Year to Year Comparison

SEPT 09    $2,416,972.31     895 parcels
SEPT 08    $1,210,204.41     416 parcels
SEPT 07    $1,014,481.83     310 parcels
SEPT 06    $1,254,001.76     367 parcels