After your payment is processed by the Department of Finance (DOF), you will receive a notice informing you that your property is no longer subject to the lien sale. It can take three weeks to affect the Lien Notice cycle. This means if you pay your debt close to the time the next Lien Notice is mailed, you may get that notice even though you have paid your debt.
Even if you are disputing your property's assessment or charges, you must have paid your taxes and charges in full or arranged for a payment agreement to avoid having your lien sold. Properties with outstanding charges for a legally specified time can be included in the lien sale even if the charges are being disputed. If your dispute is successful, you will be entitled to a refund of any overpayment.
Water and Sewer Debt
If you owe only water and sewer charges and not any property-related charges or taxes, you should visit a DEP Borough Office or call DEP to make a payment.
Due to COVID-19, DEP Borough Offices are currently open by appointment only.
You can learn how to pay water and sewer bills and how to schedule an appointment at a DEP Borough Office on the Water and Sewer Bill Payment page.
Property Taxes and Related Charges
You can pay property taxes and related charges online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
Online
Visit the Property Tax Payment page to learn how to pay online.
By Phone
You can now pay your lien sale property tax debt or HPD emergency repair charges over the phone with a DOF representative. You can make a payment by e-check, EFT or credit/debit card (credit cards have a 2% service fee).
If you owe both property taxes and water charges you must pay them separately by contacting DOF and DEP.
By Mail
You can pay your debt by mail. You should pay by official bank check or money order to ensure the payment is posted before the deadline. Payments must be mailed by December 3, 2021 to ensure they are received and processed prior to the deadline. If you are paying after December 3, 2021 you should not mail your payment.
If you pay by check, you're authorizing DOF either to use information from your check as a one-time electronic fund transfer (EFT) from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction. You can't opt out of the electronic transfer. If your check is processed as an EFT, you won't get your check back.
You should:
- Write the Borough, Block, and Lot Number (BBL) of your property on your check or money order. If you don't include the BBL, it may take much longer to process your payment.
- If applicable, specify whether your payment is for a specific Emergency Repair or Alternate Enforcement charge.
- Pay by official bank check or money order.
If you owe both property taxes and water or sewer charges, do not combine the payments. Use separate checks to the NYC Department of Finance and NYC Water Board. You may still use the same envelope.
Send payment to:
NYC Department of Finance
P.O. Box 680
Newark, NJ 07101-0680
In Person
You can pay both property taxes and water bills together in person at any DOF Business Center using cash, personal check, certified check, or money order. As the deadline approaches, you should pay by official bank check or money order to ensure the payment is posted before the deadline. No appointment is necessary to visit a DOF Business Center, however you can schedule an appointment to ensure social distancing at the centers.
If you owe only water and sewer charges, you should visit or contact the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to make a payment. Visit the Water and Sewer Bill Payment page for more information about water and sewer bills payments.
DOF Business Centers are extending their hours to help customers who need to make payments to avoid the lien sale. Visit the Property Tax Payment page for more information about payments at DOF Business Centers.
