Oyster Bay Tax Bills Due Jan. 1

The first half of the  general tax levy is due on Jan. 1, but residents can pay without penalty through Feb. 10, town officials said.

The check should be made payable to "James J. Stefanich, Receiver of Taxes." and should indicate the property's S.D. Code, Section, Block, Lot, and phone number. Residents of the Massapequas are part of the Town of Oyster Bay that stretches from Long Island Sound to the Atlantic.

"By law, a taxpayer has a 40-day grace period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty," Stefanich said in a press release.   "After the 40 days, a one percent penalty is added for each month the tax remains unpaid, retroactive to Jan. 1."

The tax bills are expected to be mailed at the beginning of January.

Residents can pay in person, by either cash or check, at the Tax Office, Oyster Bay Town Hall West, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, or by check only at the Receiver of Taxes counter located in the Town Clerk's Office, Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa.

In addition, the William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center Annex, 28 W. Carl Street, will be open to accept payments by check only, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Feb. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10.  Residents who prefer to mail their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771-1539.

"When paying the tax bill in person, taxpayers are reminded to bring the entire tax bill with their payments," Receiver Stefanich said. "Payments being made by mail should include the first half stub. "

Residents should not write on or otherwise deface the tax stub. Computer problems may result and reject the payment, town officials said.

Stefanich said immediate access to 2011 General Tax information is available online at http://oysterbaytown.com/

Stefanich said that when calling the Tax Office, 516-624-6400, for information on property taxes, residents are requested to have the school district, section, block and lot numbers of the property in question available.  This information is listed on the tax bill and on the property deed.