How Property Tax Works
Albany County's property tax system serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, county operations, fire protection, and various special districts. Property owners pay taxes based on their property's assessed value multiplied by the local mill levy rate, which varies significantly depending on your specific location within the county due to different combinations of special taxing districts.
The effective tax rate in Albany County typically ranges from approximately 0.6% to 1.2% of market value, though this can vary considerably based on which school district, fire district, and other special assessment areas your property falls within. Tax rates are set annually in August, with bills typically mailed in September. The county uses a mill levy system where each mill represents $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed value, making it straightforward to calculate your obligations once you know your property's assessed value and applicable mill rate.