School Taxes FAQs

The school tax levy is the total amount that is collected from taxpayers.

The school district determines its total budget for the school year. After accounting for other revenue sources, like state and federal aid, the remaining amount is the tax levy that is collected from taxpayers. Beacon receives approximately $3 million in Federal grants, $31 million in State aid (36 % of the total budget), Miscellaneous revenue $3 million(3%) and the tax levy (57%).

For school districts, the tax levy limit is the highest allowable tax levy (before exclusions) that a school district can propose as part of its annual budget and can pass with a simple majority of voters (50% plus one). If a district proposes a budget with a tax levy amount (before exclusions) above this limit, it must be approved by a supermajority of voters (60%) to pass the budget.

The maximum allowable tax levy is the tax levy limit PLUS certain exclusions, like voter-approved local capital expenditures or increases in state-mandated employer contribution rates for staff pension systems that exceed two percentage points. These exclusions are added to the tax levy limit without triggering the need for 60% voter approval.

Together, the tax levy limit and the maximum allowable tax levy help districts determine their proposed tax levy.

The tax rate is calculated by dividing the total tax levy by the district’s total taxable assessed value.

A tax levy increase is the difference between tax levies (or the total amount of taxes to be collected) from one year to another. A tax rate increase is the difference between the tax rates from one year to the next. Final tax rates are usually set by August after receiving finalized property assessment rolls. The School District determines the tax levy increase and calculates the tax rate increase.  The local assessor determines the changes in the assessed values of the property

Each city and town has an assessor who is responsible for determining the assessed values for properties within their area. Questions regarding individual property assessments should be addressed directly to your assessor. The phone number of the office of the assessor are as follows:

• City of Beacon - (845) 838-5205
• Town of Fishkill - (845) 831-7800
• Town of Wappingers - (845) 297-8275

Yes, there are several exemptions available. 

The STAR exemption can reduce your assessment on your tax bill if you have owned your home since 2015. If you purchased your home after that date, New York State will mail your STAR exemption to you.
For more information on STAR click here: https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/

There are also property tax exemptions that can reduce your overall school tax bill such as a Senior Citizen Exemption and a Veterans exemption: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/index.htm

The property assessment less any exemptions is multiplied by the tax rate and divided by $1,000.

For example, a house with an assessment of $ 545,000 and has a basic star exemption of $41,750 would pay school taxes of $5,903 ($545,000-$41,750 = $503,250 x $11.73 / $1,000).

Your school taxes could increase for a few reasons:

• The assessed value of your property was increased. This value is calculated by the local assessor each year. Questions relating to your assessment must be addressed with the local assessor’s office.
• You are no longer eligible for an exemption. Some of the property exemptions are based on income so if your income changes, an exemption can be reduced or eliminated.

School tax bills are mailed out at the beginning of September of each year.

Taxes can be paid by check or money order made out to the Beacon City School District. Please be sure to include the Bill No. and a Daytime Phone Number. Taxes must be paid in full.  Partial payments are not accepted. 

In Person Payments (check or money order only) may be received in the District office,
10 Education Drive, Beacon NY between the hours of: 7am-11am Mondays, 9:00am to 1:00pm Wednesday - Friday (September 3, 2025 to October 3, 2025 only)

Mail payments to:

Beacon City School District
School Tax Collection
P.O. Box 1330
Buffalo, New York 14240-1330
COLLECTION PERIOD: September 3, 2025 - October 3, 2025 - Penalty Free
October 4, 2025 – November 3, 2025 Payments must include the 2% Penalty

Please Note: Payments must be dated and have a Post Office Post Mark of no later than November 3, 2025 to be accepted.

All School Taxes Unpaid after November 3, 2025 will be turned over to the City of Beacon ( Beacon residents and the County of Dutchess (Fishkill & Wappingers residents) for collection (additional penalties will accrue).

For Beacon properties starting with 130200, please contact the City of Beacon at (845) 838-5004 (after January 1, 2025) for the payment amount due and additional payment information. Payment to be made payable to the City of Beacon.

For Fishkill and Wappingers properties starting with 133089 and 135689 respectively, please contact the Commissioner of Finance for Dutchess County at (845) 486-2027 for the payment amount due and additional payment information. Payment to be made payable to the Commissioner of Finance for Dutchess County.

You will be charged a 2% penalty if you pay your taxes from October 4, 2025 - November 3, 2025.  After November 3rd, you will be charged an additional 3% penalty.

Please reach out to your assessor’s office:

City of Beacon - (845) 838-5205
Town of Fishkill - (845) 831-7800
Town of Wappingers - (845) 297-8275