WHERE CAN I GO WITH QUESTIONS?

The assessor is continually communicating with the public, answering questions, and dealing with concerns raised by taxpayers. Anyone can examine the assessment roll and property records at any time.

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 (914) 771-3345.

The following easy-to-understand and very informative brochures published by the NYS Board of Equalization and Assessment are available at the web site of the N.Y.S. Office of Real Property Services 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.