News - April 29, 2022
Dear Friend

Grievance Day is May 24 and fast approaching.

If you feel your assessment is too high are you prepared to challenge it?

Take advantage of the resources and tools available on our website to help you be successful in your grievance.

Do you have a question related to your situation? Just email us.
Preparing for Grievance Day
Check Your Assessment by May 1

Be sure to check your town's website for the 2022 Tentative Assessment Roll, which is published by May 1. The roll lists all the properties in your town. Some towns have already posted the roll. Your property's listing should indicate applicable exemptions as well as the assessed value of your property.

If the information is incorrect or you feel your assessment is not fair, follow the steps below. The final rolls are published by July 1 reflecting any changes, including results of a successful grievance and corrections made on or before Grievance Day (May 24). That final assessed value is how your property tax bill is determined. Verify the final date of valuation with your assessor.

See Overview of the Assessment Roll for more information.
5 Ways to Grieve Your Assessment on May 24
If you own a one-, two- or three-family residence there are five ways to grieve your assessment.

The amount of time spent preparing your grievance and the amount of reduction in assessment generally go hand in hand and are up to each property owner. 
  1. Informal Meeting with the Assessor - Make a phone call now or stop in during office hours to make an appointment for an informal meeting to discuss your questions about your assessment and how it was achieved. There may be a simple explanation as to why it is correct or incorrect.
  2. Unequal Assessment - Of the ways you can grieve your assessments, grieving by Unequal Assessment is by far the hardest to prove and win.
  3. Excessive Assessment - Excessive Assessment may be the best way to grieve your assessment and have a chance of winning.
  4. Unlawful Assessment - See https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp524ins.pdf page 3
  5. Misclassification - see https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp524ins.pdf page 4

SCAR (Small Claims Assessment Review) - If you did not receive satisfaction from the assessor or Board of Assessment Review, do not give up.

As Assessments Rise Will Your Taxes?
Reassessments are again underway after being put on hold due to the pandemic and homeowners are concerned that their property taxes could also go up. But that’s not necessarily the case. 
2023 Enacted Budget Provides a Homeowner Tax Rebate Credit for Almost 2.5 Million
New Yorkers
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April 9, 2022--New York Governor Kathy Hochul today announced multiple tax relief investments in the historic FY 2023 Budget. The Enacted Budget includes tax relief for the middle class, small businesses, and homeowners to provide more cash for working families across the State. Key Budget victories include relief from the state taxes on motor fuels as New Yorkers face rising energy prices, accelerating the implementation of the middle-class tax cut, creating a tax credit for small businesses' COVID-19 related expenses, providing small business tax relief, and a homeowner tax rebate credit. Read press release

FAQ
Please note! The answer below has been corrected.
Q: I'm building a barn, with a valid building permit. The barn is not completed yet and does not have a C of O. Can I be assessed for this unfinished structure?

A: You can only be assessed for the portion of the barn that was complete as of the Taxable Status Date. (March 1st, 2022) If the barn was 50% complete, then you would be assessed for approximately 50% of the full market value. Any additional completion of the barn after the Taxable Status Date would then appear on the following year's assessment roll. (2023). See more FAQs
New Report: U.S. Public Education Spending Statistics - New York State schools rank 1st in spending and 1st in funding
According to a new report published by the Education Data Initiative on US Public Education Spending, New York schools rank 1st in spending and 1st in funding, spending the most of any state, $25,520 per pupil annually from K-12.

Why should you care? Because funding for public education comes from local municipalities, state budgets, and the federal government. In New York State, funding comes from approximately 5% from federal sources, 49% from State formula aids and grants, and 46% from revenues raised locally. School taxes are a significant portion of your property taxes. Attend school board meetings and make your voice heard during the budget process.

Quick Links
April is Financial Literacy Month
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Resource: The non-profit Tax Foundation says," Every dollar you pay in taxes affects how much of your income you get to keep, save, and spend, so understanding each tax type can help you make better decisions about everything from which job to take to how you vote. Watch now. TaxEDU gives teachers the tools to make students better citizens, taxpayers a vocabulary to see through the rhetoric, lawmakers crash courses to write smarter laws, and videos and podcasts for anyone who wants to boost their tax knowledge on the go.
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