Taxes

FAQ #1: Aren't taxes in Westchester already too high?

It's true - Westchester residents pay some of the highest taxes in the country. It also true that Westchester has great schools. A recent report indicated that 27 Westchester County school district were among the 100 best in New York. The BCSD was included in that top 100.

Another truth - BCSD property owners pay the lowest true value tax rate in Northern Westchester. The lowest. Check out the chart to the right.

FAQ #2: What is a true value tax rate?

Obviously, different towns assess properties in different ways, making tax rates across towns difficult to compare. The NY State Office of Real Property Services sets specific equalization rates each year based upon each town's assessment practices. The adjusted tax rate figure - the "true value tax rate" - is stated as dollars per $1000 of full value, and can be used as a relative measurement.

FAQ #3: So how do our actual taxes compare across Westchester?

We truly have some of the lowest school taxes in Westchester. Don't believe us? Take a look at the chart to the right. (Click on it to enlarge.) The yellow highlighted properties are in the BCSD - where you see the blue highlights are properties that are within the same town (i.e., Pound Ridge) but different school districts.

All of the homes listed have a Full Market Value (taken from their town's assessor's rolls) of $614,000-$644,000. The last column shows the amount of the tax bill for that property (without a STAR exemption.)

FAQ #4: So what is the bottom line?

Pound Ridge residents with property in the BCSD are paying less than Pound Ridge Residents with property in the Katonah Lewisboro school district. North Castle residents with property in the BCSD are paying less than their counterparts with property in the Byram Hills school district. New Castle residents with property in the BCSD are paying less than their counterparts with property in either the Chappaqua or the Yorktown Central school districts. And Bedford residents with property in the BCSD are paying less than their counterparts with property in the Katonah Lewisboro school district.

Lower taxes are a virtue that should be trumpeted. It is one of the many reasons that our communities are so desirable. None of this suggests that we support unlimited taxing and funding of education. It does demonstrate that those who are saying our taxes are too high are not looking at all the relative facts.

(Click on the image to enlarge)

*Source: Westchester Putnam School Boards Association Facts & Figure$ 2016

(Click on the image to enlarge)

*Source: Town Assessor's Rolls