The complete Long Island property tax guide (2026)

A single page covering everything that matters. Use the table of contents to jump to your specific question, or read top-to-bottom for a full mental model of how LI property tax works.

How Long Island property tax actually works

Long Island property tax has three layers:

  1. County tax — Nassau or Suffolk County levy (~$3-4 per $1,000 of assessed value)
  2. Town tax — your town's share (~$2-5 per $1,000)
  3. School district tax — typically 60-75% of your bill ($8-25 per $1,000)

On top of these, you may pay:

  • Village tax — if you're in one of ~60 incorporated LI villages
  • Special districts — fire, library, water, sewer, ambulance

The median LI household pays around $11,118/yr in total property tax. The cheapest LI districts run around $5,192/yr; the most expensive (Cold Spring Harbor, Bridgehampton areas) exceed $30,783/yr.

See: Why are LI property taxes so high?

Section 1 — Calculating your bill

Section 2 — Exemptions (most homeowners qualify for at least one)

Section 3 — Grievance (the single most effective way to lower your bill)

Section 4 — Payment schedule + how to pay

Section 5 — Terminology that confuses everyone

Section 6 — Comparisons

Section 7 — Life events that affect property tax

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Sources & citations

Last verified: 2026-05-11. Tax rules change; we re-verify each page quarterly.

Estimates and educational content only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify with your county or town receiver, an attorney, or a CPA before making financial decisions.