KINGSTON – The City of Kingston will offer voluntary installment payment plan agreements to property owners for outstanding prior year taxes, effective immediately, Mayor Steven Noble announced. This option will assist property owners in retaining their Basic STAR exemptions or credits and to pay down their outstanding taxes in manageable installments.
Per New York State, “Beginning in 2020, property owners with property tax delinquencies greater than one year are not eligible for the Basic STAR exemption or the Basic STAR credit.” In order for theiTAR exemption or credit to be reinstituted, property owners must either pay their delinquent taxes in full or enter into an installment payment plan.
“With so many in our community impacted by the pandemic and the resulting economic downturn, along with these new changes to the STAR Program, we are committed to identifying any potential solutions to help our residents and business owners navigate this difficult time,” said Noble. “By offering a repayment plan earlier than previously available, eligible residential and commercial property owners can pay off their outstanding taxes over time while continuing to benefit from the STAR program.”
Previously, such agreements were only available once property foreclosure proceedings were initiated, due to state tax code prohibiting the provision of a second installment payment agreement within 36 months.
While the city is making these agreements available earlier, due to the changes in the STAR program, the state still prohibits property owners who default on their payment plan from entering into another installment agreement for a period of three years, even in the event of foreclosure. Individuals wishing to participate in this program should consult with their accountant prior to entering into such an agreement.
Property owners who are eligible for this payment option will receive a notice in the mail in the coming week. For more information and to enroll in an installment payment plan, individuals should contact the Corporation Counsel’s Office at 845-334-3947.
