Welcome to the City of Tonawanda
Assessor's Office Web Site
Patricia N. Bacon, Assessor
200 Niagara Street
Tonawanda, New York 14150
Phone: 716-695-8639
FAX: 716-695-8315
Office Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Monday through Friday
This page was created to assist in researching property information. Assessments, sales, data and photos of properties in the City of Tonawanda are included in this site. Other resources available are: exemption forms, forms to dispute value, important dates on the assessment calendar and most recent tax rates.
INFORMATION REGARDING 2009 ERIE COUNTY TAX BILLS
The Erie County Division of Real Property has been able to determine the amount of undercharge on the 2009 Erie County tax bills recently received by City of Tonawanda residents.
Based on numbers received from Erie County, the total amount of the undercharge for the Community College payment program for the City of Tonawanda was $329,123.11. When spread across the County Taxable Assessed Value for the City of Tonawanda, the amount of the undercharge was $0.564521 per thousand. Converted to a total, a home assessed at $100,000 will be impacted $56.45.
This amount will be added to the 2010 Erie County tax bill to be mailed in January 2010. In addition, the County will communicate this to all the Mortgage and Financing companies where the taxes are paid via escrow.
EXEMPTIONS
The Assessor's Office is currently accepting new applications for Basic STAR, Veteran's and Business Improvement Exemptions for the 2010 tax roll. March 1, 2010 is the deadline for all exemptions to be applied to the 2010 assessment roll.
Aged (Senior), Enhanced STAR, Disability and Non-Profit Exemption renewal applications will be mailed to previous recipients in October 2009. New applicants for the exemptions may apply between November 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010. Exemptions will be based on 2008 income. When applying please provide 2008 Income Tax(including all schedules), Social Security Benefit Statements, annual statements from IRA/Annuity and any other statements of interest or income. You may call the Assessor's Office with questions regarding these exemptions @695-8639.
MIDDLE CLASS STAR REBATE PROGRAM
The Middle Class STAR Rebate Program will not be in effect for 2009. Due to New York States fiscal crisis, the program has been discontinued.
The Enhanced STAR and Basic STAR Exemptions remain in effect.
COLD WAR VETERANS PROPERTY TAX BREAK
The City of Tonawanda Common Council recently adopted the new "Cold War Veterans Exemption". The exemption allows for a 15% reduction in the assessed value of a property, up to $12,000. Veterans who qualify are those serving on active duty during the period from the end of World War II to December 26, 1991 and released under honorable conditions. The exemption would rise for those with a service-related disability.
The unremarried spouses of service members who have died also could seek the exemption.
The exemption, however, would not apply to veterans already receiving property tax breaks under current veterans exemption programs, which generally apply to veterans who served in a combat theater or during a designated wartime.
The exemption would apply to city taxes starting in 2011. Homeowners need to apply at Tonawanda City Hall main office by March 1, 2010 using their DD214 ( discharge papers). Clerks in the Assessor's office will assist in completing the form.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY EXEMPTION
As of August 19, 2009, the City of Tonawanda adopted a local law pursuant to Real Property Tax Law, Section 421-f, Capital Improvement Exemption for Residential Buildings.
Building permits issued after the above date may be eligible for the exemption if criteria are met. Construction must add between $3,000 and $80,000 to the properties assessment and require a Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Inspector's Office upon completion. Exemptions are for 5 years on a graduated scale for city taxes only.
For further information, please contact the Assessor's Office.
The City of Tonawanda recently conducted a reassessment of all properties. The last time the City was involved in a citywide update was 1990. Property information and assessments on this site reflect the new 2009 values.
The Board of Assessment Review meets the 4th Wednesday in May. If you feel your assessment is incorrect you must fill out the proper paperwork and provide the Board of Review with information that supports your opinion of market value. Appointments will be taken when the paperwork is submitted
.
Downloadable PDF Exemption Forms and Instructions:
Forms and Instructions to dispute the assessment on your property:
THE GOAL OF THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE IS TO DETERMINE THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE ASSESSMENT FOR YOUR PROPERTY.
If you have any questions or comments, please call the Assessor's Office at
716-695-8639
