The Budget and Your Taxes

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The budget and your taxes

Board members acknowledge the need for a 50% tax levy increase to put the Greater Johnstown School District back on solid financial footing. On April 17, board members adopted a budget proposal for the 2019-20 school year that calls for a 35% tax levy increase. If residents approve the 2019-20 budget proposal on May 21, board members plan to develop a 2020-21 budget that calls for a 15% tax levy increase, thus achieving the 50% tax levy increase over two years.

Under an approved budget with a 35% tax levy increase, the average taxpayer with a home assessed at $100,000 could expect to see their tax bill increase approximately:

  • Johnstown (City)
    • Basic STAR: $31-$43/month, $1.01-$1.42/day
    • Enhanced STAR: $15-$42/month, $0.48-$1.39/day
    • No Star: $44/month, $1.44/day
  • Johnstown (Town)
    • Basic STAR: $50-$64/month, $1.63-$2.11/day
    • Enhanced STAR: $34-$63/month, $1.10-$2.08/day
    • No Star: $65/month, $2.13/day
  • Ephratah
    • Basic STAR: $48-$60/month, $1.56-$1.98/day
    • Enhanced STAR: $31-$59/month, $1.01-$1.95/day
    • No Star: $61/month, $2.00/day
  • Palatine
    • Basic STAR: $63-$76/month, $2.08-$2.50/day
    • Enhanced STAR: $47-$75/month, $1.54-$2.47/day
    • No Star: $77/month, $2.52/day
  • Gloversville (City)
    • Basic STAR: $30-$41/month, $0.97-$1.36/day
    • Enhanced STAR: $14-$40/month, $0.46-$1.33/day
    • No Star: $42/month, $1.38/day

Estimates are based on current assessments and equalization rates. Actual tax rates are set in August. Basic STAR exempts some of an owner-occupied home’s assessed value from school taxes. Enhanced STAR provides an increased benefit for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with qualifying incomes ($86,300 or less for the 2019-20 school year). On April 15, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance clarified information on the maximum STAR savings and the STAR credit program. Learn more at www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property.

School districts do not determine individual tax bills. GJSD is providing this information in an effort to be as transparent as possible and as a service to property owners in the community.

What other options exist to lower the total school tax bill for senior citizens?

Johnstown’s existing tax exemption for senior citizens age 65 and older exempts a portion of the assessed value of a resident’s home from school taxes according to income as follows:

  • Income $10,000 and under, 50% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $10,000.01 to $10,999.99, 45% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $11,000 to $11,999.99, 40% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $12,000 to $12,999.99, 35% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $13,000 to $13,899.99, 30% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $13,900 to $14,799.99, 25% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $14,800 to $15,699.99, 20% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $15,700 to $16,599.99, 15% of Assessed Value Exempted
  • Income $16,600 to $17,499.99, 10% of Assessed Value Exempted

How do Johnstown’s current taxes compare with other area districts?

On average, residents in neighboring school districts saw higher tax bills during the 2018-19 school year than GJSD residents. The tax bill amounts shown (right) are for homes assessed at $100,000 with an equalization rate of 100% without STAR.