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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Saratoga County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Saratoga County, NY. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
$1.77 per $1,000 assessed value (county portion only), varies by municipality and district
Exemptions
6+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Saratoga County, New York operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county operations, municipal services, and special districts. Property taxes in Saratoga County are administered at the municipal level, with each town, city, and village collecting taxes to support their respective budgets along with county-wide services. The county's 2026 fiscal year property tax rate has been reduced by 5% to $1.77 per $1,000 of assessed value, reflecting the county's commitment to maintaining competitive tax rates.

Property tax rates in Saratoga County vary significantly by location due to the layered structure of local government and special taxing districts. Residents pay a combination of county taxes, school district taxes, town or city taxes, and potentially additional special district assessments for services like fire protection, water, or sewer systems. The effective tax rate typically ranges from approximately 1.4% to over 2% of assessed value depending on the specific municipality and school district. Property owners should note that New York State offers several tax relief programs, including the STAR program for school tax relief, though most require annual application and have specific eligibility requirements.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $1,000)DescriptionLevy Year
Saratoga County$1.77County operations, servicesFY 2026
School DistrictsVaries by districtLocal school operations, typically largest componentFY 2025-2026
Town/CityVaries by municipalityMunicipal services, road maintenanceFY 2026
Special DistrictsVaries by locationFire protection, lighting, water/sewerFY 2026

Note: The rates shown represent the county portion only. Total effective rates vary significantly across Saratoga County municipalities due to different school district rates and special taxing districts. School taxes typically represent the largest portion of your property tax bill. Some areas may have additional assessments for services like fire protection districts, lighting districts, or water/sewer authorities that can add $0.50 to $3.00 per $1,000 of assessed value depending on services provided.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Saratoga County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Saratoga County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, new construction, or significant improvements completed after the assessment date. These taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change occurs.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include: completion of new home construction, major renovations that increase property value, subdivision of land, or change in property use classification. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in September and your local combined tax rate is $25 per $1,000 of assessed value, you would owe approximately $625 in supplemental taxes (assuming full assessed value increase) prorated for the remaining months of the fiscal year. Supplemental tax bills are typically issued 30-60 days after the assessor determines the value change and become due within 30 days of the bill date.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property in Clifton Park

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Basic STAR Credit Applied: -$30,000 (school taxes only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $270,000 (school) / $300,000 (county/town)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~$22.00 per $1,000
  • Annual Tax: ~$5,940
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$495

Example 2: $600,000 Property in Saratoga Springs

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Enhanced STAR Credit Applied: -$68,700 (school taxes, seniors only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $531,300 (school) / $600,000 (county/city)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~$24.00 per $1,000
  • Annual Tax: ~$13,100
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,092

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property in Ballston

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Basic STAR Credit Applied: -$30,000 (school taxes only)
  • Net Taxable Value: $970,000 (school) / $1,000,000 (county/town)
  • Combined Tax Rate: ~$20.00 per $1,000
  • Annual Tax: ~$19,400
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,617

Note: All tax credits require annual application. Rates vary by specific location and school district within each municipality.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Saratoga County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% equity. Your lender collects monthly payments equal to 1/12 of your annual property tax bill plus insurance premiums, holding these funds in an escrow account. Lenders typically collect an additional 2-3 months of payments at closing to ensure adequate funds are available when tax bills become due.

Property taxes in Saratoga County are generally paid on a quarterly schedule with due dates of July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15. Payments made by these dates are interest-free, while late payments incur interest charges retroactive to the original due dates (July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1). Your lender will receive tax bills directly and make payments from your escrow account. You should verify that payments are made on time and that your escrow account maintains adequate balances, as you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid even when using escrow services.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Saratoga County for FY 2026? A: Property taxes are due quarterly on July 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15. Payments made by these dates are interest-free. You can also pay the full annual amount by July 15 for a discount in some municipalities.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: The main tax credit is the STAR program, which provides school tax relief. Basic STAR provides up to $30,000 in assessed value reduction for school taxes, while Enhanced STAR for seniors 65+ provides larger benefits. Both require annual application and are NOT automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead exemption work? A: New York doesn't have a traditional homestead exemption, but the STAR program serves a similar function by reducing school tax assessments for primary residences. This program limits the taxable assessed value for school purposes, not the market value, and requires filing an application with income verification.

Q: When are properties reassessed and how can I appeal? A: Assessment schedules vary by municipality in Saratoga County. Most towns and cities conduct annual assessments with values established as of March 1st. You can appeal your assessment during Grievance Day proceedings, typically held in May, by filing a complaint with your local Board of Assessment Review.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Interest charges apply to late payments, calculated from the original due date (July 1, October 1, January 1, or April 1) even if you pay during the grace period that ends on the 15th of each month.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Online payment options vary by municipality within Saratoga County. Contact your town, city, or village tax collector for available electronic payment methods and any associated convenience fees.

Q: What additional special district taxes might I owe? A: Depending on your location, you may owe additional taxes for fire protection districts, lighting districts, water districts, or sewer districts. These can range from $50-300+ annually depending on services provided in your area.

Q: Are veterans or seniors eligible for additional tax relief? A: Yes, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' exemptions, and seniors may qualify for Enhanced STAR or Senior Citizens Exemptions. All programs require application and income/eligibility verification. Contact your local assessor's office for specific requirements and application deadlines, typically March 1st annually.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
SARATOGA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ...saratogacountyny.gov
02
Tax Doc
Real Property Tax Committeesaratogacountyny.gov
03
County
2025 Adopted Budget Brief – County of Saratoga, New Yorksaratogacountyny.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax Due Datesnyc.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property tax calendartax.ny.gov
06
Tax Doc
Estimated tax payment due datestax.ny.gov
07
Maximum 2025–2026 STAR exemption savings by municipalitytax.ny.gov
08
State
Exemptions from Real Property Taxation in New York Statetax.ny.gov
09
County
County of Saratoga, New Yorksaratogacountyny.gov
10
resolution 259 - 2020saratogacountyny.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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