If you own property in New York State you may want to take note of an approaching day. The fourth Tuesday in May is Property Assessment Grievance Day in New York (some municipalities may choose to schedule it on a different day but it is always in May). This year Grievance Day falls on the 22th. In most municipalities you can fax or mail your documents to the assessor. You will want confirm receipt of all of your documents a week or two before the 22th. If you have questions please call your assessor.
Town of Forestport Assessor
Phone 315-392-5547 Fax 315-392-4607
Town of Webb Assessor (Old Forge, Eagle Bay, Big Moose and Thendara) Phone 315-369-6880 Fax 315-369-3021
Town of Inlet Assessor
Phone 315-357-5726 Fax 315-357-3570
Please keep in mind that your Assessor does not have any control over how much you pay in taxes, they only have a say in the value assigned to your property. Generally, if the full market value assessment is in the same ballpark as what your property would sell for at the time of valuation, then your assessment is relatively fair.
The process of challenging your assessment is the same throughout the state of New York, details can be found on the New York State Department Tax and Finance website (click here). The same form, RP–524 (click here), is used in every municipality. In addition to the RP-524, you will need to have your own estimate of the market value of your property and supporting documentation. There are four arguments you can use to dispute the assessed value of your property:
- UNEQUAL ASSESSMENT (in comparison to other similar properties)
- EXCESSIVE ASSESSMENT (The market value assigned to your property is higher than what you could sell your home for in the current market)
- UNLAWFUL ASSESSMENT
- MISCLASSIFICATION
I imagine that most property owners that file a grievance do so under the claim of an Excessive Assessment. If you recently purchased a property or if you are purchasing a property (for the less than the assessed value of the property) your contract is all the supporting documentation you need. If you currently have your property listed with an agent (for less than your assessed market value) then your listing agreement will serve as the supporting documentation. If you have recently had your property appraised, your appraisal can also serve as supporting documentation.
Best of luck!