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BOROUGH PRESIDENT, FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HOST TAX LIEN COMMUNITY OUTREACH SESSION

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: Finance Commissioner Martha Stark and Borough President Markowitz.

On April 15th, Borough President Marty Markowitz teamed with the Department of Finance and the Department of Environmental Protection to host a community outreach session to explain the tax lien sale process and offer one-on-one customer assistance to homeowners.

“After the recent property tax increase, it is even more important that Brooklynites understand more than just the basics of their tax payment obligations to the City,” Borough President Markowitz said. “Homeowners need to understand their rights, responsibilities and recourse with the Department of Finance and/or the Department of Environmental Protection. This is a great opportunity for Brooklynites to get individual attention so they can reduce their tax burden and, in some cases, avoid foreclosure and loss of title to their property.”

Staff from Finance and DEP were available to answer questions about the lien sale process and to review individual tax, water and sewer charges. For the first time, Finance accepted payments and initiated payment plans for eligible homeowners at the outreach sessions, as did DEP.

In addition to the outreach sessions, homeowners with Internet access can also visit Finance’s website at www.nyc.gov/finance. While online, homeowners can get a detailed explanation of the lien sale process; a weekly update of the tax lien sale list; important dates and deadlines; information on payment locations and phone numbers; download brochures and forms; and a direct Email link to the Ombudsperson.

For properties listed in the lien sale, the deadline to pay before liens are sold is May 12. On March 11, Finance gave owners a 60-day notice of inclusion in its annual lien sale, which will take place on May 13. Inclusion in a lien sale is the result of failure by homeowners to pay outstanding property taxes and/or water and sewer charges. Finance also published the full list of properties in the lien sale and mailed notices directly to owners.

Homeowners may receive assistance over the phone, by calling Finance’s Tax Lien Ombudsperson at (718) 694-0424. Senior citizens can call (718) 694-8260.)

For information on water and sewer charges, homeowners should call the Department of Environmental Protection at (718) 595-7000 or visit their website at www.nyc.gov/DEP.