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District

Taxes

Tax rates for the four municipalities in the district are set each August. They are based on the tax levy for the year (the total amount raised from all taxpayers) and final municipal assessments for each of the towns. Tax rates vary between the towns because property in each is assessed at different levels in relation to full market value. The state assigns each town an equalization rate to fairly divide the tax levy between the towns. The district does not control any part of the assessment or equalization process.

 
 
 
 

Quick Reference: Volunteer Firefighter & Ambulance Worker Partial Real Property Tax Exemption 466-a

Public Hearing held November 14, 2023

Local option adopted
Albany County local law B/2023 introduced 3/13/23 begins January 1, 2025 general tax bill.
Town of Colonie local law 472/2023 introduced 10/12/23 begins Jan. 1, 2025 general tax bill.
Fire Protection Districts and various Fire Districts resolutions to begin Jan. 1, 2025 general tax.

Qualifications
Enrolled active members of an incorporated volunteer fire company or department or incorporated volunteer ambulance service who serve 2 or more years and who own and reside in a house in the town, may qualify for a 10% exemption from taxing jurisdictions whom opt into a local law.  

Additional qualifications
Life member for 20 active years of service or more.
Life member for un-remarried surviving spouse due to worker killed in line of duty.
Life member for un-remarried surviving spouse of worker who had 20 years of service.
Certification: (authority having jurisdiction)
Fire Districts – Board of Commissioners (Boght, Midway, Schuyler, Stanford, Verdoy, West Albany)
Fire Protections District – Town Board (Fuller Road, Latham, Maplewood, Shaker Road)
Village Fire Districts – Village Board (Village of Colonie, Village of Menands)
Application Process
Complete form RP-466-a
Seek Certification from authority having jurisdiction
Return application, certification, and driver’s license to the town Assessor’s Office by March 1st.

Estimated Exempt Amount for Town of Colonie average Assessment of $140,000
School: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exemption x $29.085225/$1,000 assessed $407.19
County: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exemption x $5.68/$1,000 assessed $79.52
Town: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exemption x $4.289/$1,000 assessed $60.00 
Fire District: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exempt x $2.176/$1,000 assessed :$30.46:

Total Estimated Savings: $577.17

Estimated impact to school district taxpayers in Town of Colonie
6 fire departments x 100 active members/fire department x $407/member = $244,200
(0.34% shift to other taxpayers, less than $14 on the average assessed property)

For additional questions, please contact Jacqlene McAllister, Assistant Superintendent for Management Services and Strategic Planning. 

 
 
 
 
 

2023-24 Tax Rates

Colonie

$29.08 per $1,000 of assessed value 

Town of Colonie
534 Loudon Road 
Latham, NY 12110
518-783-2730

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Guilderland

$17.45 per $1,000 of assessed value

Town of Guilderland
5209 Western Turnpike
Guilderland, NY 12084
518-356-1980

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Niskayuna

$18.78 per $1,000 of assessed value

Town of Niskayuna
One Niskayuna Circle
Niskayuna, NY 12309
518-386-4500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

District Tax No. 595

Reported income on your New York State tax return is a measure of a district’s wealth. Accurate completion of this information is important because the state uses it to calculate state aid for school districts. Please use District Tax No. 595.

 
 
 

STAR Program

Homeowners who meet certain eligibility requirements through the New York State School Tax Relief Program – STAR – can have a portion of their home’s assessed value exempt from school property taxes.

Learn more about the STAR program.