City unable to extend deadline for paying taxes

KINGSTON, N.Y. » The city has failed to secure permission it sought from the state to extend the April 30 deadline for the payment of city property taxes.

“There is no extension, and there will be penalties for late payments,” Summer Smith, Kingston’s director of communications and community engagement, said in an email.

Mayor Steve Noble requested the extension because of the financial strain placed on some city residents by the coronavirus pandemic. Noble said previously that he contacted Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office on April 3, seeking an extension until May 21 for city property owners to pay their taxes for the second half of 2020.

The city cannot extend the deadline on its own; it must receive the governor’s OK.

The city never heard back from Cuomo, according to Noble.

Each fiscal year, Kingston property taxes are due in two equal installments. The first is due 45 days after tax levy is set by the Common Council, which this year was Feb 14. The second is due 120 days after the tax levy is, which this year is April 30.

Tax payments can be sent to City of Kingston, CPO Box 1516, Kingston, N.Y. 12402; placed in the drop box outside City Hall, 420 Broadway; or paid online at www.kingston-ny.gov/payments.

Because of the virus outbreak, City Hall is closed to the public and payments cannot be made in person.

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