Updated tax bill bulletin not what folks wanted to hear

The Revenue Offices are located at 19 Wakefield St. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The City of Rochester posted another update on the software upgrade snafu in a public bulletin on Monday afternoon, but it wasn't the news homeowners were hoping for.

The anticipated timeline for issuing the bills is still Dec. 27, which is too late for some mortgage banks to post the payments with a payment date of 2019, which can impact IRS tax filings due in April.

Specifically, homeowners can deduct their property taxes but only if those taxes are paid during the calendar year for which taxes are filed.

So if 2019 taxes aren't paid till 2020, they can't be deducted for the 2019 tax year.

Rochester's property tax bills have been delayed due to technical errors resulting from recent, required software upgrades, according to city officials.

Tax bills will be due 30 days from the mailing date, but can be paid at any time and before receipt of a bill, according to Monday's update from the city.

Homeowners can make payments on their property taxes without a bill by paying in person at the Tax office on 19 Wakefield Street. The tax rate, 2019 assessments, prior payment and prior bill information can be viewed in the online bill pay feature found on the Tax Collector's page at www.rochesternh.net.

Payments may also be made using online bill pay once the tax bills are posted, which will become available shortly. If taxes are paid via escrow, mortgage companies should receive final bill information at the same time that online bill payments are enabled.

However, that doesn't help homeowners who pay by escrow every month and don't have the means to pay from savings.

City Finance Director Katie Ambrose said on Monday she understands the concerns and they are working diligently to try to get the bills out as soon as possible.