Union Property Tax Records

Union property tax records are managed by the Town Assessor and filed through Broome County's real property system. Assessor John McDonald handles all valuation work for the town, including setting assessed values, processing exemption applications, and preparing the annual assessment roll. You can search any parcel in Union through Broome County's Image Mate Online system, which gives free access to property cards, assessed values, sales data, and tax map information. The county also provides copies of tax records at $1.30 per page, or $5.20 for a certified copy.

Union Town Assessor

Assessor John McDonald runs the property tax records operation for the Town of Union. His office sets assessed values for every parcel in town each year. The tentative assessment roll is published on May 1. That roll is the official list of all properties with their class codes, values, and exemptions. If you think your assessed value is too high, you can meet with the assessor first to go over the data.

Grievance Day is the fourth Tuesday in May. You file form RP-524 with the Board of Assessment Review. Bring any evidence that supports a lower value, like recent sales of similar homes or an appraisal. The board reviews the case and issues a decision. If you still disagree after that, you can pursue Small Claims Assessment Review or an Article 7 proceeding in court.

The assessor also handles all exemption filings. STAR, veterans, senior citizen, and disability exemptions each have their own application and deadline. Most are due by March 1 of the tax year. Late filings are generally not accepted. Call the assessor's office to confirm dates and get the right forms.

Search Union Property Tax Records Online

The fastest way to find Union property tax records is through Broome County Image Mate Online. This free tool lets you search by owner name, address, or tax map number. Each result links to a full property card with the assessed value, land value, building details, and sales history. You can also see the property class code and any exemptions on file.

Image Mate Online pulls from the state Real Property System. The data updates when the county posts new assessment rolls. You do not need to create an account. Just type in your search and the results come up right away. For the best results with an address search, use just the street number and name. Skip the suffix.

If you need an official copy of a property record, the Broome County Clerk charges $1.30 per page. Certified copies cost $5.20. You can request them in person at the county office or by mail. Include the property's tax map number and a check payable to the Broome County Clerk. Mail requests go to 60 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901.

Broome County Property Tax Resources

Broome County Real Property Tax Services is at 60 Hawley Street in Binghamton. The phone number is (607) 778-2169. This office maintains tax maps, equalization rates, and assessment rolls for all towns in the county. They can help with tax map corrections, parcel mergers, and subdivision approvals. The office also publishes the county's annual tax rate sheet.

The county posts data to the NYS Municipal Data Portal. You can use that tool to compare Union's tax rates with other Broome County towns. It shows levy totals, exemption counts, and equalization rates going back several years. The ORPTS regional page for the Southern Tier also has useful rate and assessment data.

For parcel maps and boundary data, check the NYS GIS Parcel Viewer. It shows lot lines, acreage, and basic tax info for every parcel in the state. The county GIS office may have more detail, including zoning and flood zone layers. Both tools are free.

Property Tax Exemptions in Union

Union residents can file for several property tax exemptions through the assessor. The STAR program is the most common. Basic STAR is open to all owner-occupied homes. Enhanced STAR goes to seniors 65 and older who meet income caps. New STAR applicants register through the NYS Tax Department instead of the town.

Veterans can get exemptions under RPTL Sections 458 and 458-a. The savings depend on the type of service, whether the veteran served in a combat zone, and if there is a service-connected disability. You file with the assessor and include a copy of your DD-214 or discharge papers. The exemption applies to town, county, and school taxes.

Senior citizens 65 and up may also qualify under RPTL Section 467. This exemption uses a sliding scale based on income. The lower your income, the higher the percentage reduction on your assessed value. Disability exemptions under RPTL Section 459-c work on the same sliding scale. Each program has a separate form and due date, so check with the assessor early in the year.

How Union Property Taxes Work

Your tax bill in Union is based on the assessed value of your property times the tax rate. The rate has multiple parts. Town, county, school, and special district levies all stack up. Each body sets its own rate. School taxes are usually the largest piece of the total bill. Fire district and lighting district charges may also apply depending on where in town the property sits.

Town and county taxes are billed together and typically due in February. School taxes come in September or October. Late payments trigger penalties under the Real Property Tax Law. The penalty rate increases each month. After a certain point, the county takes over collection and may sell tax liens on the property. Paying on time avoids all of that.

You can check your bill's breakdown on the tax bill itself or through Image Mate Online. Each line shows the taxing jurisdiction, the rate per thousand, and the amount due. If something looks wrong, contact the assessor or the tax collector's office. They can explain each charge and correct any errors.

Union County Resources

Union is in Broome County. Visit the county page for more on countywide property tax records, tax maps, and the Real Property Tax Services office in Binghamton.