As required by New York State Real Property Tax Law, Schuyler County officials have filed the List of Delinquent Taxes for 2025, identifying parcels that have been subject to delinquent tax liens held and owned by the County of Schuyler since Jan. 1 of this year. And county officials want taxpayers and homeowners to know there are ways to avoid losing their property.
“Property owners with delinquent taxes are urged to act promptly to avoid additional penalties, interest, or even loss of your real property,” County Treasurer Holley Sokolowski said. We offer a number of options and want to avoid people losing their homes whenever possible.”
According to County Attorney Steven Getman, the redemption period for delinquent taxes is 18 months. During this time, the Treasurer’s Office and County Attorney’s Office will review public records and attempt to collect amounts due without resorting to foreclosure.
“Throughout the process, the county works with eligible property owners to prevent foreclosure through installment agreements, referral to legal services, buy-back options, and public notices,” Getman said.
At the conclusion of the redemption period, the county will file and serve a Notice and Petition for Tax Foreclosure on any remaining delinquent properties. Approximately six months later, the court will issue its final judgment of foreclosure, and the county will proceed to a public tax auction.
This year’s list is available for public review on the county website at www.schuylercounty.us, and on file with the Schuyler County Clerk and online at the New York State Court System (NYSCEF) (https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef).
Sokolowski said the Treasurer’s Office offers several options to assist eligible property owners:
- Installment agreements: Monthly payment plans to divide tax payments into manageable amounts.
- Redemption period: Property owners may redeem their property by paying all delinquent taxes, interest, and fees before the expiration of the redemption period, typically in February of the following year.
- Surplus funds: In the event of a tax foreclosure sale, former owners may be eligible to claim surplus funds.
Getman noted that several resources are available for property owners seeking legal help:
- Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. – Free legal aid for eligible low-income residents. Visit www.lawny.org.
- New York State Courts “CourtHelp” can help you when you don’t have a lawyer: https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/.
- New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Call 1-800-342-3661 to locate a qualified local attorney.
“It’s the job of the county to collect taxes, but the main focus here is keeping people on their property and in their homes,” Getman said.
Sokolowski serves as Schuyler County’s chief fiscal officer and enforcement officer for unpaid property tax liens. Getman serves as the county’s chief legal advisor and represents the county in civil actions, including tax matters.
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