Tax Department: Make sure you’re paying taxes based on an accurate assessment
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminded all property owners, including homeowners and businesses, to check their assessments for accuracy. The deadline to contest property assessment, also known as “Grievance Day,” is May 26 in most communities.
“Once you get your tax bill, it’s too late to reduce your property’s assessment or restore exemptions you might have lost,” said Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Kenneth Adams. “Take advantage of this window of opportunity to make sure your assessment is fair and accurate.”
Local assessment rolls include the property’s estimated market value. This information is required to be published on local websites. Property owners who believe the market value on the assessment roll is significantly higher than the price for which the property could be sold have until Grievance Day to file for review of the assessment.
For the RP-524 Grievance Form and step-by-step instructions, homeowners can visit the Tax Department’s Contest Your Assessment Web page at tax.ny.gov. The local Board of Assessment Review will review the case and respond based on the information provided.
2015 Philipstown Assessment Roll (Tentative) (PDF)
2015 Beacon Assessment Roll (Tentative) (PDF)
When filing for assessment review, property owners are required to provide a market value estimate of the property. To support that estimate, it is helpful to include documentation about the sale of comparable homes in the community; if you have a recent appraisal of your property, that can also be helpful but is not necessary, the state says.
Property tax exemptions on the assessment roll
Assessment rolls also include the property tax exemptions each property receives. If a homeowner applied for an exemption and it does not appear on the assessment roll, he or she can use the grievance process to appeal to the local Board of Assessment Review.
Appealing the Board of Assessment Review ruling
Homeowners who do not receive the requested relief through the grievance process have a low-cost option to appeal. Small Claims Assessment Review costs $30, and the case is handled by a court-appointed hearing officer.
For more information
Find assessments on your city or town website and learn how to understand your property’s assessment at tax.ny.gov. Watch videos about assessments and the grievance process on the NYSTaxDepartment YouTube channel.
