Tax Grievance

Today, in Suffolk County’s down real estate market, you may be paying more than your fair share of property taxes, because your Town thinks your house is worth much more than its current value.

What is a Property Tax Grievance?

A Property Tax Grievance is a formal complaint filed by a homeowner or homeowner’s representative contesting a town's valuation of a specific property. If successful, the “Assessed Value” of the property is reduced, and the property taxes are recalculated against this lower value, resulting in lower taxes.

How Property Tax Grievance Works

• The deadline for filing a grievance is always the third Tuesday in May (May 15th in 2012)
• You must complete form RP-524 for your town, available at Town Hall or online, and typically submit it between May 1st and the deadline
• In addition to your personal information (name, address, etc.) you will have to complete or provide
  • At least 3 “comps” (comparables) of recent sales in your area, which should be for less than your home’s assessed value
  • Grounds for Complaint: Unequal, Excessive, or Unlawful Assessment; or Misclassification
  • Designation of Representative (if filed by someone other than you)
  • Certification (that you’re telling the truth)
• The Board of Assessment Review reviews all grievances filed (this can take several months), and notifies all homeowners whether their grievance resulted in a reduction of assessed value, or was declined. Complainants have 30 days from the date of decision to file an appeal, at which point they are scheduled to present their case in court.

Many homeowners worry that if they file a grievance, their taxes may be raised, but this is not true. Your property tax assessment can be lowered or remain the same, but cannot be increased as a result of your grievance.

To learn more about the Property Tax Grievance process, and to see if your property qualifies for a property tax reduction, complete and submit the form to the right or call Cori at (631) 470-6033 today!

All Island Tax Grievance has helped thousands of homeowners lower their property taxes. Founded by Cori Kaplan, a licensed attorney and real estate broker, All Island makes it easy for homeowners to deal with the often daunting world of “town hall.” We research each case, file all necessary paperwork, and represent the final case in court if necessary. We’re a small business that provides personalized service, and our “win rate” is greater than 95%. We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation. We’ll let you know if you’re qualified to receive a tax reduction. There is no fee unless we successfully get you a tax reduction.