School tax bills for Penfield residents will be mailed on August 29 with collections beginning September 2

Penfield, New York – Residents in the Town of Penfield will soon see their annual school tax bills arriving in the mail, with the Tax Receiver’s Office confirming that the 2024-2025 bills will be sent out on Friday, August 29. Collections will officially begin on Tuesday, September 2, marking the start of a payment period with several important deadlines and rules for property owners to keep in mind.

While the process may seem routine, the town stresses that school tax collection differs from the way Town and County taxes are handled. Those differences include how installments are accepted and how deadlines affect payment options. For taxpayers who choose to pay in installments, timing is critical. The first installment must be made by Monday, September 15 to remain eligible for the installment plan. Missing this date could eliminate the option entirely. In fact, if the first installment isn’t in by Monday, September 22, residents will lose the ability to pay in parts and will need to pay the full balance instead.

For those paying the full amount in one transaction, Wednesday, October 1 is the last day to pay without incurring interest. The office emphasizes that all payments must match the exact amount printed on the payment stub—no rounding up or down—since discrepancies can cause processing delays.

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A major caution this year comes in the form of online banking payments. The Tax Receiver’s Office is strongly warning residents against using their personal bank’s online bill pay service for school taxes. “These types of payments are HIGHLY DISCOURAGED,” the office stated, noting several risks. First, there is no guarantee that the payment will arrive before the deadline, even if scheduled well in advance. Second, such payments are often delivered in plain envelopes without a postmark, meaning there’s no official record of when the payment was sent. Finally, and most importantly, if the payment reaches the office after the due date, it will be considered late regardless of the date on the check—triggering interest charges that cannot be waived.

The office encourages residents to use more reliable payment methods, such as mailing a check directly or delivering payment in person, to avoid these potential issues. Questions about the process can be directed to the Tax Receiver’s Office at (585) 340-8625 or by emailing [email protected].

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Krystina Lizak, Receiver of Taxes, closed her message with a polite reminder for residents to stay on top of deadlines and payment procedures. “Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have,” she said, reinforcing that the office is available to help clarify any concerns before penalties occur.

With the mailing date quickly approaching, Penfield taxpayers are urged to mark their calendars, review the instructions carefully, and choose payment methods that ensure their tax obligations are met on time. In tax collection, as the office makes clear, the difference between an on-time payment and an expensive late fee often comes down to the fine print.