Town of Lancaster, New York
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In This Section
Departments & Offices
Tax Office
Contact Information:
ON LINE TAX INFORMATION
(If you wish to pay your taxes online,
the bank will charge you a
convenience fee.)
Johanna M. Coleman, Town Clerk
Address:
Town Hall
21 Central Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086
Phone: 716-683-1328
Fax: 716-681-7059
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
There are additional office hours during February and October. Please refer to the back of your tax bill for the schedule.
Main Function of Office:
In the year 2000, the duties of the Receiver of Taxes were combined with the office of the Town Clerk. The Tax Department is responsible for the collection of the Town/County and the School Taxes for those school districts which are located within the Town, namely Lancaster Central, Depew Union Free, Alden Central, Clarence Central and Iroquois Central. Town/County taxes are due on February 15th and School taxes are due on October 15th each year.
How Taxes Can Be Paid
Taxes can be paid online by Credit Card or an ACH from checking or savings accounts. They can also be paid by mail or in person at the Lancaster Town Hall, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086. checks should be made payable to Johanna M. Coleman, Town Clerk. If paying by mail, a U.S. Postal Service Postmark on or before the 15th of the month in which the taxes are due is required by law. If you are mailing your payment on the last penalty free day, the envelope must be hand cancelled by the U.S. Postal Service.
Inquiries On Tax Payments/Balances
Tax payment information and receipts are available online or may be requested by phoning 716-683-1328.
Partial Payments
Partial Payments are accepted in any amount.
End Of Tax Season
The Town of Lancaster Tax Department accepts payments for the Town/County taxes through June 30th and School taxes through November 30th. All payments made after these dates must be forwarded to the following address:
Erie County Real Property
Director of Budget, Management & Finance
95 Franklin Street Room 100
Buffalo, New York 14202
For payoff amounts taxpayers should phone the County of Erie at 716-858-8333. If any taxpayer or escrow agent has any questions on this matter, please phone the Tax Department at 716-683-1328.
Penalties
Mailed payments are accepted without penalty only if the envelope bears a United States Post Office postmark of the 15th of the month in which the taxes are due. In accordance with New York State Real Property Tax Law and the Erie County Tax Act there are "NO EXCEPTIONS".
Town/County Taxes are due February 15th without penalty.
Feb. 16 - Feb. 28 = 1.5%
Mar. 01 - Mar. 15 = 3.0%
Mar. 16 - Mar. 31 = 4.5%
Apr. 01 - Apr. 15 = 6.0%
Apr. 16 - Apr. 30 = 7.5%
On May 1st, a 7.5% penalty is added to the levy, forming the base tax then due. Thereafter, interest is added to the base at the rate of 1.5% per month on the first of each month, totaling 18.78% in all, when unpaid taxes are sold in November.
School Taxes are due October 15th without penalty.
Oct. 16 - Oct. 31 = 7.5%
Nov. 1 - Nov. 30 = 9.0%
After November 30th, any unpaid tax and penalty are added to the County Tax Roll.
Tax Receipts
Duplicate tax receipts are available via mail or by phone/fax request. Our phone number is 716-683-1328 and fax number is 716-681-7059. In the event that the request is made by mail, a self-addressed, stamped envelope must be provided; receipts will be processed and returned on the same day.