Who Do I Contact With My Questions?

The assessor is continually communicating with the public, answering questions, and dealing with concerns raised by taxpayers.

It is up to individual property owners to monitor their own assessments. Taxpayers who feel they are not being fairly assessed should meet with their assessor before the tentative assessment roll is established. In an informal setting the assessor can explain how the assessment was determined and the rationale behind it.

Assessors are interested only in fairly assessing property in their assessing unit. If your assessment is correct and your tax bill still seems too high, the assessor cannot change that. Complaints to the assessor must be about how property is assessed.

Informal meetings with assessors to resolve assessment questions about the next assessment roll can take place throughout the year. If, after speaking with your assessor, you still feel you are unfairly assessed, ask for the booklet, How to File a Complaint on Your Assessment. It describes how to prepare and file a complaint with the Board of Assessment Review for an assessment reduction and indicates the time of year it can be done. To learn more about the assessment process, please call the Assessor at 652-3260 or send a fax to 652-3560

The following easy-to-understand and very informative brochures published by the NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment, are available at the NYS Office of Real Property Services website and the Town Assessor's Office.

* The Job of the Assessor
* How the Property Tax Works
* The Property Tax Cycle
* Veteran's Exemptions
* Senior Citizen Exemptions
* How to File a Complaint on Your Assessment

Additionally, the NYS Assessor's Association publishes a pamphlet titled, Understanding Assessments and Property Taxes, which is also available in the Assessor's office.