The distinction of having the highest property tax in the Hudson Valley goes to the Town of Liberty in Sullivan County, according to the Empire Center’s latest annual Benchmarking NY report.
The report stated that the Town of Liberty’s effective rate came to $58.56 per $1,000, or $4,164 a year for a home at Liberty’s median value of $72,700.
The report used data from the state comptroller’s office to calculate effective tax rates-for thousands of localities across New York State. The report excluded New York City and Nassau County.
The area with the lowest property tax rate was Phillipstown in Putnam County at $15.27 per $1,000.
According to Tim Hoefer, executive director of the Empire Center, there’s no question that New Yorkers pay some of the highest property taxes in the country, but the burden can vary widely even among neighboring jurisdictions.
“By making it easier to compare taxes in different localities, we hope to encourage local taxpayers and elected officials to search for ways of reducing taxes and spending,” Hoefer said.