Archive for Westchester County

Property tax reduction secrets revealed!

One of the main reasons homeowners cite for not challenging their Property Tax Assessments is that they are afraid that town officials will want to come into their homes.  In my experience, having handled close to one thousand Tax Grievances, in Westchester and Putnam Counties, very few municipalities ever request inspections.  The main reason for this is probably lack of time and man power.

However, if a town does request an inspection the homeowner does not have to grant it, due to their right to privacy.  As a result, this really should not be a big concern and should not prevent homeowners from seeking a fair assessment.

If the town does request an inspection it is best to accomodate them, if possible.  I have found that the best results are often achieved through cooperation, but it is certainly not a requirement.

What reasons do you or your clients have for not reviewing and challenging Property Tax Assessments?  I would love to hear them.

 

Didn’t Get a Tax Reduction … Don’t Give Up!

Many homeowners file tax grievances and fail to achieve their desired result, a reduction in their tax assessment.  Unfortunately, often times this initial rejection can result in the homeowner not pursuing their grievance any further.  This may be the result of many different factors. For example, many homeowner’s do not have the time, or the grievance may get lost in the shuffle of an already hectic schedule.  Perhaps they do not understand the process.

Whatever the reason, homeowners must understand that in many cases the initial filing may merely represent an admission ticket into the grievance process.  At the initial stage the Board of Assessment Review is not compelled to grant any reductions and are accountable only to the appeal process, known as SCAR or Small Claims Assessment Review.

There are many reasons why a homeowner may not get an initial decision.  Among these reasons may be poor documentation of market value, limited resources of the Board of Assessment Review in the face of increasing numbers of tax challenges.  Keep in mind that the board of assessment review is made up of ordinary tax payers, some with extensive real estate experience, some with little or no experience, and they are reviewing hundreds or thousands of cases in a short period of time.

It is for these reasons that the initial tax grievance filing should be viewed only as an entry into the process.  It is important that homeowners carefully review the boards decisions and follow up with a SCAR appeal if appropriate.  If you have any questions or comments regarding the process please feel free to visit my web site taxgrievancespecialist.com

Please take a moment to comment or ask a question, but whatever you do Don’t Give Up!

Please feel free to request a review of your property tax assessment, it’s FREE!