Tentative Assessment Rolls are posted by May 1st -- New Property Tax Credit Approved in 2022 New York State Budget -- Grievance Day is Tuesday, May 25

News - April 2021

Dear Friend

Tentative Assessment Rolls will be posted by May 1st. Check your home's 2021 tentative assessment, market value, and other relevant information on your town's website and compare your assessment with others in your community.

Grievance Day is Tuesday, May 25 in most towns. Start planning now if you feel your assessment is not fair.

Final rolls are posted July 1 and will reflect any successful grievance.

Take advantage of the resources on our website, which will be helpful as you challenge your assessment and advocate for fair property taxation.

New Property Tax Credit Approved in 2022 New York State Budget

The approved NYS 2022 budget provides a personal income tax credit for New York resident homeowners with incomes up to $250,000 if their total property tax exceeds a fixed percentage of their income. This framework will target New York families with the highest property tax to income burden. The calculation of this credit is capped at $350 per STAR-eligible household, while also utilizing a $250 credit minimum to further target homeowners impacted the most by high property taxes. It is expected that claims will average about $340. Qualified homeowners will be able to claim this new Property Tax Relief credit for taxable years 2021, 2022, and 2023. Read more

Have you Received a Notice that Your Assessment is Going Up?

Many property owners received a notice in March that their assessment would be going up. These are called "impact notices." Many are due to a revaluation in the overall assessments when the Equalization Rate drops below 100% and needs to be updated back to 100%. It can also happen when the Real Estate Market trends upward for certain types of properties.

Assessors will hold "informal meetings" for property owners to discuss their assessments. If you don't hear from your assessor, call him or her to ask for an informal meeting appointment. It is your right to be heard.

Resources to Challenging Your Assessment

Here are some popular links to helpful resources on our web site if you are challenging your assessment:

Challenging Your Assessment: What You Can Do if You Feel Your Assessment is Incorrect

5 Ways to Grieve Your Assessment

Comparable Sales Analysis Adjustment Formula 2021

Grieving By Excessive Assessment

Excessive Assessment Grieving - Case Study

Real Property Tax Data by County Direct Links

Property Tax Forms & Documents

New in Research & Reports

Wallet Hub - 2021’s Property Taxes by State

Facts and Figures 2021: How Does Your State Compare? - The Tax Foundation

Study: Reassessing the Property Tax - University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy - Feb 2021

The property tax is the single largest source of revenue for American local governments. It is designed to be an ad valorem tax (a tax based on the assessed value). The fairness and accuracy of the tax hinges on the quality of property valuation by local assessors. Using data from millions of residential real estate transactions, this paper shows that assessments are typically regressive, with low-priced properties being assessed at a higher value, relative to their actual sale price, than are high-priced properties.

See more reports and studies

Your Questions

Q: Is there a cap on the level municipalities are allowed to raise an assessment within a single year?

A: There isn't a limit. Market value and recent sales are the main factors driving an assessment. Other factors are what the Equalization Rate was the previous year and if there was an update this year. For example, if the Equalization Rate was at 50% and the Town did an update to 100% the assessment could double. See more FAQs

New Tutorials on Applying for Benefits

Many New Yorkers are eligible for a variety of federal, state, and local benefits that can put cash in their pockets, help pay for prescriptions, food and heat, have their taxes reduced, and help pay for their care. Learn how to sign up by watching these easy-to-follow videos from the NYS Office for the Aging. See videos

COVID-19 Impact News

No Changes in the Property Tax Calendar

at this Time

According to New York State, personal income tax returns for the 2020 tax year originally due on April 15, 2021, have been extended to May 17, 2021. For guidance, see N-21-1,

Relief for Property Scheduled for a Tax Lien Sale or Tax Foreclosure

NYS has posted that if you own property that is subject to a tax lien sale or tax foreclosure and you own 10 or fewer residential dwelling units (including your primary residence), you may declare a COVID-19-related hardship if you meet certain conditions. Property owners who meet those conditions can use Form RP-1102-DS, Owner Declaration of Covid-19-Related Hardship, which should be filed with the applicable local government.

Resources for Challenging Your Assessment

5 Ways to Grieve Your Assessment

If you own a one-, two- or three-family residence there are five ways to grieve your assessment.

Informal Meeting with the Assessor
Unequal Assessment
Excessive Assessment
Unlawful Assessment
Misclassification

The amount of time spent and the amount of reduction in assessment generally go hand in hand and are up to each property owner.

See how

Updated Comparable Sales Analysis Adjustment Formula for 2021

Information on assessments can be found on most local County Real Property Tax Data websites. Always try to use comparable properties as close to the size, type, and age of your property. Read more and get a blank worksheet and a sample to follow.

HAVE A QUESTION? EMAIL US! We are here to answer questions from homeowners in Upstate NY and provide guidance on how to challenge your assessment or get more information. Email us!

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