How SWIS codes work
Every NY State municipality has a 6-digit SWIS code. The structure:
- First 2 digits: county (28xxxx = Nassau, 47xxxx = Suffolk)
- Next 2 digits: the town within the county
- Last 2 digits: the assessing unit within the town (00 = town itself; villages get their own codes)
The combination uniquely identifies the assessor responsible for each parcel and the tax rate row in NY State’s rate file.
Long Island SWIS codes (all towns and cities)
| SWIS Code | Municipality | County | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 280500 | Glen Cove | Nassau | City |
| 280600 | Glen Cove | Nassau | City |
| 280900 | Long Beach | Nassau | City |
| 281000 | Long Beach | Nassau | City |
| 282000 | Hempstead | Nassau | Town |
| 282200 | North Hempstead | Nassau | Town |
| 282400 | Oyster Bay | Nassau | Town |
| 472000 | Babylon | Suffolk | Town |
| 472200 | Brookhaven | Suffolk | Town |
| 472400 | East Hampton | Suffolk | Town |
| 472600 | Huntington | Suffolk | Town |
| 472800 | Islip | Suffolk | Town |
| 473000 | Riverhead | Suffolk | Town |
| 473200 | Shelter Island | Suffolk | Town |
| 473400 | Smithtown | Suffolk | Town |
| 473600 | Southampton | Suffolk | Town |
| 473800 | Southold | Suffolk | Town |
Why this matters for property taxes
When a Long Island school district spans multiple towns (24 out of 120 do), each town within the district has its own combined tax rate. The SWIS code is how the County figures out which rate applies to your parcel.
Example: Jericho School District (282415) spans both Oyster Bay (SWIS 282400) and North Hempstead (SWIS 282200). Parcels in Oyster Bay pay a combined rate of about $20.08/$1,000. Parcels in North Hempstead pay about $26.16/$1,000. Same school district, different rates — because of the SWIS code.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my SWIS code?
It’s usually printed on your property tax bill. You can also look it up on the Nassau Land Records Viewer (Nassau) or your town’s online assessor portal (Suffolk).
Why does my Jericho neighbor pay less tax than I do?
If you’re in different parts of Jericho (one in Oyster Bay, one in North Hempstead), you’re subject to different combined rates because each town has its own town and county levies. The school portion is the same; the town + county portions differ.
Are SWIS codes the same as zip codes?
No. SWIS is a municipal identifier (set by NY State). ZIP code is a USPS postal identifier. They overlap loosely — a single SWIS can have multiple ZIPs, and a single ZIP can span multiple SWIS codes.
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Sources and citations
- Nassau County Land Records Viewer (LRV) lrv.nassaucountyny.gov
- Suffolk County Comptroller — Information for taxpayers suffolkcountyny.gov
Last verified May 11, 2026. Tax rules change; we re-check every page each quarter.
Educational content and estimates only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Verify with your county or town receiver, an attorney or a CPA before making financial decisions.