Your Town Does a Revaluation and You Disagree with your Assessment - What to do?

If you receive a notice or "impact statement" from the assessor stating an increase in the market value of their property, shock, disbelief, and frustration are only a few of the emotions that you feel. Catch your breath and let us help you understand what is happening and find out if the increase is justified or if your property may now be excessively assessed.

Assessment Increases and the Relationship to Your Property Taxes

Reassessments are again underway and homeowners are concerned that their property taxes could also go up. That's not necessarily the case. The change could be due to a complete revaluation of an assessment unit, adjustments for certain types of residences due to trends in the market, or additions/deletions of buildings.

Grounds for Complaint – What You Can You Do to Grieve Your Assessment

When property owners disagree with the amount of their property assessments, there are several avenues to grieve that assessment. The property owner should not assume that an assessor, a Board of Assessment Review or a Hearing Officer would automatically know all of the laws and criteria needed to prove or disprove a grievance.

Appraisals - Are They Helpful or Hurtful?

Anyone can become an appraiser in New York State. Although an appraiser can have training in property values, it is still one person's opinion on the value of a property. Appraisals can be done in a number of ways that can diminish the accuracy of the appraisal. (The titles given to the type of appraisals are for reference only.)

School Budgets & Impact on Property Taxes

The tax rates and school and municipality budgets (not your assessment) determine how much property owners pay in property taxes. The total tax levy and tax rates can be found on your school, town and, county tax bills or ask your local assessor.

5 Ways to Grieve Your Assessment

If you own a one-, two- or three-family residence there are five ways to grieve your assessment. Many assessors would tell you there are only four ways but they do not include the Informal Meeting with the assessor. The amount of time spent and the amount of reduction in assessment generally go hand in hand and are up to each individual property owner.

Challenging Your Assessment: What to Do if Your Assessment is Incorrect

Challenging your assessment can be quite difficult depending on the amount of reduction you may be seeking. If you have an appraisal and think that is enough by all means use that. If you believe you may need more information to prove your case, we have many resources on this website to help. Here are some first steps to consider.

Upstate NY Has Some of the Highest Property Tax Rates in the Nation

Taxes are imposed by town and county governments and school districts. Those budgets have tended to increase despite declines in population and school enrollments. Assessments may be higher than they should be due to a complex and flawed assessment process. You can challenge your assessment on grievance day or contact your assessor for an informal review. Pay attention to school budgets and vote! Apply for eligible exemptions.

Taxpayer Comments & Suggestions

Taxpayers in NYS are mad and are sick of navigating a complex system, sick of fighting for what should be their right (FAIR TAXES) and having their concerns go unheard.

The Fears of Grieving Your Property Tax Assessment

Property owners should not have fears when it comes to grieving their property assessments. This is concerning for those property owners who are afraid to grieve their property assessment for fear of retaliation with a higher assessment. This is unlawful and unethical, and a formal complaint should be made to the local Board that appointed them. The property owner has a right to grieve the assessment put on their property every single year without the fear of any retaliation. Here's what you need to know.

Issues We See Impacting Property Tax Inequity

No town and school board budget control, lack of time to prepare grievances, assessors who are not aware of the laws, being penalized for improving property...the list goes on of what we hear from taxpayers

NYS Audits of Local Governments

Has your town been audited? Follow the recent audits of local government by the NYS Comptroller's Office related to Real Property Taxes.

What are Real Property Taxes & Assessments?

What are they? When did they begin? How are they used?

How Are Your Property Taxes Determined

Your assessment. Town value. Tax rate.

Understanding Your Assessment

When are they done? What is considered? What contributes to unfair assessments? How can exemptions help?

Common Concerns on Challenging Assessment

Other Issues Impacting Fair Taxation