Tax Tips for Property Owners: It’s time to check your assessment

In most towns across New York, assessors publish the tentative assessment roll on the town or county website in the beginning of May. 

The tentative assessment roll includes the property assessment, the assessor’s estimate of the market value of the property (the amount your property could sell for), and exemption information.

You should review the tentative assessment roll annually. After you review the roll, you have the right to file a grievance (or contest the assessment) if you believe your property is overassessed, or if you think you have been inappropriately denied an exemption.

How to know if your property is fairly assessed

A fair assessment reflects your property's market value. Follow the steps below to determine whether your property is assessed fairly and to learn what you can do if your assessment is too high.

  1. Estimate the market value of your property

    To determine whether your property is assessed fairly, you first need to know the approximate market value of your property. Learn how to estimate the market value of your home.
  2. Compare your estimate to the assessor’s estimate of the market value of your property 

    Your assessment is based on the assessor’s estimate of the market value of your property. You'll find your property’s assessment and the assessor’s estimate of its market value on the assessment roll. See an overview of the assessment roll.

    Assessments may be at market value or a percentage of market value. If assessments are at market value, your assessment and the assessor’s estimate of the market value will be the same.

    If your estimate and the assessor’s estimate of market value are similar, then your assessment is likely fair. If not, continue to step 3. 

  1. Contact your assessor’s office

If you don’t believe that your property could sell for the assessor’s estimate of market value, a conversation between you and the assessor can be helpful to both parties. If you come to a mutual agreement, your assessment can be reduced without going through the grievance process. However, if such a discussion does not result in a reduction in your assessment, you may wish to proceed to step 4.

  • Grieve your assessment

    As a property owner in New York State, you are eligible to grieve (or contest) your assessment.

    The grievance process takes place at the municipal level, typically with the local board of assessment review. To learn how to grieve your assessment, see Grievance procedures.

    In most communities, the deadline to apply is Grievance Day, which is typically the fourth Tuesday in May, but you should confirm the date with your assessor.

  • Learn more

    • To find the date when the tentative assessment roll is published in your municipality, visit Municipal Profiles. Search for, or browse to, your city or town, and select Assessment Roll Dates (see options below).
    • You can also find contact information for your assessor in Municipal Profiles.
    • Review Learn about assessments and property taxes.
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    Submitted by Brewster, NY

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