Everything you need to know about your property tax grievance

Property Tax Assessments, also known as tax rolls, are not always kept in line with the ebb and flow of the housing market, especially in volatile times. If you're overpaying, you deserve a reduction. A property tax grievance is the tool that lets you challenge the town's imposed assessment. You have the option to file on your own, but choosing Priority gives you professional, caring client care plus real estate expertise. A successful tax reduction means money saved.

Yes! If you are due a property tax reduction, we will make sure you get the full reduction available. We take a standardized process and force your home to be considered on its own, using every tool at our disposal to counter misapplied tax assessments arrived at with incorrect or outdated information. Remember, there is no penalty for trying.

No. Nope. Not at all. This is a no-risk scenario — no reduction means no fee. And to put your mind at ease, you cannot be upwardly assessed; the assessor cannot charge you additional taxes because you filed a property tax grievance.

If we win a property tax reduction, our fee is a percentage of the first year of savings. Tax savings in the years beyond are yours to enjoy. FACT: no reduction, no fee. Keep in mind you'll need a recent appraisal of your property — if you have a certified one, we're happy to use it. If not, we'll conduct a market analysis for you, and you're only charged if you receive a reduction. If your grievance is declined and warranted, we may file an appeal after an additional in-depth review; not all cases are appealed. When we do appeal, New York State charges a $30 filing fee.

It's easy — just fill out the Nassau Authorization form or the Suffolk Authorization form, or click Apply Now above to get started.

Your Assessor bases the property tax assessment on the market value of your home, which the assessor determines. The assessment usually represents a percentage of your home's determined value.

Your assessment (property tax) is calculated with your tax rate (residential assessment ratio) to determine what you pay. Towns generally increase taxes, or the formula they're determined by, every year — so even if your assessment remains unchanged, your taxes can increase.

Yes. As a homeowner, the most direct tool at your disposal is to file a Property Tax Grievance, bringing formal review to your assessment. If the Assessor doesn't find a reduced assessment warranted, an appeal can be filed to have an impartial hearing officer determine if your house is overvalued for tax purposes.

The STAR exemption is a rebate/reduction that lowers the amount due on a portion of your School Taxes. It has no bearing on your assessment or your General Taxes.

No, your exemptions are unrelated to your assessment. One has no bearing on the other.

No way. It is against the law.

No.

General taxes as well as school taxes can be reduced by filing a tax grievance. Village taxes must be filed separately.

In Nassau County, a property tax grievance can be filed every year, even if you don't yet know the outcome of prior filings. In Suffolk County, a grievance can be filed every year, unless you received a reduction via appeal the year prior — in that case, you must wait one year before filing again.

The deadline can change from year to year. Contact our office for the most recent filing dates for Nassau and Suffolk County.

Yes. There is only one opportunity a year to file a tax grievance. Once a deadline passes, there's no other option for that year. If you're eligible, filing each year ensures you don't miss an opportunity for a reduction.

It's a long one. If your initial grievance is denied and you appeal, the process can take more than a year from start to finish. The good news: regardless of when your case settles, results are always retroactive to the beginning of the tax year for which you filed.

The Suffolk County tax year is a fiscal year running December through November. In Nassau County, School Taxes run October through September, and General Taxes run January through December.

Yes, you can. However, if the case goes to an appeal, the law requires the home to be owner-occupied.