BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Did you get an incorrect tax bill from Erie County? Here's a step-by-step guide on what you need to do and when you can expect a refund.
It was last Friday (January 23, 2020) when county leaders first identified a technical error surrounding college chargeback totals. These are costs incurred by municipalities when Erie County residents attend community colleges in other counties. According to the county, "the erroneous tax bills' chargeback figure does not reflect measures approved in the 2020 Adopted Erie County Budget that results in a significantly lower chargeback cost for municipalities."
So here's what you need to do with your Erie County tax bill moving forward:
- All Erie County taxpayers should continue to pay the full amount listed in their tax bills by the due date listed (even if you believe it is incorrect).
- Erie County will NOT be sending out revised tax bills to impacted residents in the largers areas, such as Buffalo, Tonawanda and Hamburg. People in those areas have a county property tax due date of February 18th. Instead, the county will issue a revised tax statement (NOT A BILL) along with a refund check for eligible homeowners.
- The first round of refund checks will be sent in early March to people in the large areas.
- Property owners in smaller areas, like Brant or Marilla, will be getting a new, corrected tax bill. People in those areas have a county property tax due date of March 16, 2020.
- The second mailing will happen on June 30 for property owners in the smaller areas.
It's important to note, Towns of the First Class (populations of more than 10,000) and cities were impacted by this error. Towns of the Second Class (those with populations of 10,000 or less) will receive corrected 2020 tax bills starting Monday, February 3 and will not be impacted by this issue.
