Taxes in Amherst, New York
Complete tax guide for Amherst, NY. State income tax up to 6.85%, 1.73% property tax, 4.91% sales tax. Calculate your total tax burden.
State Income Tax
6.85%
New York
Property Tax
1.73%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
4.91%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
Very High
Amherst, NY Tax Overview
Population
126,082
Median Income
$71,400
Cost of Living
131 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
6.85%
Local Income Tax
1.42%
Median Home Price
$460,000
Amherst Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Amherst median: $71,400
Total Tax Burden in Amherst
$18,689
Take-Home: $52,711 · Effective Rate: 26.17%
Federal Tax
$7,322
10.25% eff.
NY State + Local
$5,905
8.27% eff.
FICA
$5,462
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$52,711
73.83% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $71,400.00 | $5,950.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$7,322.00 | -$610.17 |
| New York State Tax | -$4,890.90 | -$407.58 |
| Amherst Local Tax (1.42%) | -$1,013.88 | -$84.49 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$4,426.80 | -$368.90 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$1,035.30 | -$86.27 |
| Take-Home Pay | $52,711.12 | $4,392.59 |
Property Tax in Amherst
Median Home
$460,000
Annual Tax
$7,958
Monthly Tax
$663
Effective Rate
1.73%
Sales Tax in Amherst
Combined Rate
4.91%
State Portion
~2.4%
Local Portion
~2.5%
The combined sales tax rate in Amherst is 4.91%, which is below the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $4.91 in sales tax.
Tax Burden Comparison
| Tax Type | Amherst | New York Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 6.85% + 1.42% | 6.85% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 1.73% | ~1.73% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 4.91% | ~4.91% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | Very High | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Amherst
Amherst has a population of approximately 126,082 residents with a median household income of $71,400. The cost of living index is 131 (31.0% higher than the national average of 100).
Tax burden classification: Very High. Effective combined tax rate of 36% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Amherst household.
Official Tax Resources for New York
For authoritative New York tax forms, filing deadlines, and the latest legislative updates, consult these official government resources:
- New York State Department of Taxation — official state revenue agency
- New York Individual Income Tax Forms — current tax year forms and instructions
- IRS Federal Tax Forms and Instructions — federal income tax filing
Tax Saving Tips for Amherst Residents
- New York's income tax rate of 6.85% is above average. Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions (401k up to $23,500, IRA up to $7,000) to reduce both federal and state taxable income.
- Amherst has a local income tax of 1.42%. If you work remotely, verify whether you owe city tax based on where you work or where you live. Some cities only tax people who work within city limits.
- Property tax in Amherst (1.73%) is above the national average. Check if you qualify for homestead exemptions or assessment appeals to reduce your property tax bill.
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free.
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Very HighSources & Methodology
Tax rate data on this page is compiled from official government sources and updated for the 2026 tax year. Calculations follow the IRS-published 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $176,100 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and New York state tax provisions. Property tax estimates use Amherst's median home value of $460,000and the local effective property tax rate of 1.73%.
- • Federal tax brackets and standard deductions: IRS.gov
- • State income tax rates and brackets: New York State Department of Taxation
- • Median household income, home value, and demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- • Cost of living comparisons: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CES
- • National average benchmarks: Tax Foundation state-level tax burden studies
Disclaimer: Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed tax professional or your state revenue agency for binding tax guidance.
Reviewed by LevyIO Tax Research Team · Published 2026-01-15 · Last updated 2026-04-30
Calculate Your Full New York Tax Burden
See detailed state tax brackets, FICA breakdown, and compare to neighboring states.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tax rates in Amherst, NY?
Amherst, New York has a state income tax rate up to 6.85%, plus a local income tax of 1.42%. The property tax rate is 1.73% and the combined sales tax rate is 4.91%.
How much is property tax in Amherst?
The effective property tax rate in Amherst is 1.73%. On the median home price of $460,000, this equals approximately $7,958 per year or $663 per month. This is above the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Amherst?
The combined sales tax rate in Amherst is 4.91%, which includes both state and local components. This is below the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Amherst's tax burden compare to other cities?
Amherst has a very high overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 36%. The combination of 6.85% state income tax, 1.73% property tax, and 4.91% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 131 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Amherst?
Yes. Amherst imposes a local income tax of 1.42% in addition to the state income tax of 6.85%.