Nassau County property taxes are due four times a year across two separate bills. In the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay, school taxes are due October 1 and April 1, and general (county and town) taxes are due January 1 and July 1. Each installment carries a grace period of about 40 days, so you can pay without penalty through November 10, February 10, May 10, and August 10. The cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach follow their own calendars.
School Tax Deadlines
School taxes fund local education districts and are collected by each town’s Receiver of Taxes on behalf of the school districts within its borders.1Town of Hempstead. Frequently Asked Questions – Section: Receiver of Taxes The bill comes in two halves:
- First half due October 1, payable without penalty through November 10.
- Second half due April 1, payable without penalty through May 10.
These dates apply uniformly across Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay.2Hempstead Town, NY. Tax Payment Schedule
General and Town Tax Deadlines
General taxes cover county operations, town administration, and special districts such as fire protection, sanitation, and parks. The schedule mirrors the school tax split:
- First half due January 1, payable without penalty through February 10.
- Second half due July 1, payable without penalty through August 10.
If February 10 or August 10 falls on a non-business day, you have until the next business day to pay without interest.3Town of Oyster Bay. Frequently Asked Questions The same rule applies to the school tax grace period dates. Under New York State law, this weekend and holiday extension is automatic for all property tax deadlines in the county.
Glen Cove and Long Beach Are on Their Own Calendars
The cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach are independent municipalities within Nassau County and set their own tax schedules. Glen Cove collects a separate city tax with due dates in December and June, and its school and county tax windows differ from the three towns. Long Beach sets its own deadlines through its city finance department. If you own property in either city, the town schedule above does not apply. Contact your city’s finance or tax office for the exact due dates and grace periods.
What Late Payment Costs
New York’s Real Property Tax Law sets the penalty for late payment at 1% per month, or any fraction of a month, on the outstanding balance.4New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Interest Rates on Late Payment of Property Taxes The rate has not changed since 1983 and applies across every Nassau County municipality.
The math matters. Interest is calculated from the original due date, not from the end of the grace period.5New York State Senate. Real Property Tax Law 924-A – Interest Rate on Late Payment of Taxes and Delinquencies If your school tax was due October 1 and you pay on November 15, you owe interest for two months, October and November, even though you were only five days past the grace period. A payment on November 11 triggers the same two months of interest, because any fraction of a month counts as a full month.
The Receiver of Taxes has no authority to waive or reduce these charges. The rate is set by state law and applies the same way to every taxpayer, regardless of hardship. Interest continues to accumulate monthly until the balance is paid in full.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay
Unpaid taxes do not simply sit and accrue interest. Nassau County sells delinquent tax liens to private investors, and once a lien is sold, it carries interest at approximately 10% per year.
Under Article 11 of the New York Real Property Tax Law, foreclosure proceedings can begin after two years of delinquency, though for residential property the redemption period is typically extended to three years. During that window you can still pay off the debt, but you will owe all back taxes plus accumulated interest and costs.
If you fail to redeem within the redemption period, the lien holder can begin foreclosure. For residential properties, this requires filing a court petition. The owner receives notice by certified and regular mail, and a notice is published in a local newspaper. If the homeowner does not respond or pay, the court can enter a default judgment that leads to a foreclosure sale or a direct transfer of the property.
If you are behind and cannot catch up, contacting the Receiver of Taxes office early gives you the most options.
How to Pay Before the Deadline
Each town’s Receiver of Taxes accepts payment by mail, online, or in person. The mechanics differ slightly by town, but a few rules are consistent across Nassau County.
By Mail
If you mail a check, the envelope must carry a U.S. Postal Service postmark dated on or before the grace period deadline. A private meter stamp or a shipping company receipt does not count. Use the return envelope included with your tax bill and mail early enough for the post office to process it before the deadline.
Online
Each town operates an online payment portal. You will need your property’s Section, Block, and Lot (SBL) number, which appears on your tax bill and can also be looked up through the Nassau County Land Records Viewer.6Nassau County. Land Records Viewer Your school district code or the item number printed on your bill may also be required.7Town of Oyster Bay. Understanding Your General Tax Bill
Online payments come with service fees. In Hempstead, credit card payments carry a 2.3% convenience fee with a $1.50 minimum, and electronic check payments cost a flat $1.50.8Hempstead Town, NY. View and Pay Tax Bills Online – Section: Pay Taxes Online In Oyster Bay, the credit card fee is 2.45% with a $1.95 minimum, and e-checks cost $1.75.3Town of Oyster Bay. Frequently Asked Questions Confirm current amounts on your town’s portal before paying.
In Person
Paying at the Receiver of Taxes office produces a clerk-stamped receipt on the spot. Keep it. That receipt is the most reliable proof of payment if the amount is ever disputed or if you need to show tax compliance during a sale.
If Your Mortgage Includes an Escrow Account
When your mortgage escrows for taxes, the loan servicer pays the county on your behalf. Federal law requires servicers to make those payments from your escrow account in a timely manner as they come due.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 12 USC 2605 – Servicing of Mortgage Loans and Administration of Escrow Accounts Servicer errors happen. Check your town’s online tax records after each deadline to confirm the payment posted. If a servicer pays late and interest accrues, the servicer bears that cost, but catching the problem early is still better than finding it months later.