FAQ's

The grievance process is a long one. It could take up to 18 months from beginning to end. However, regardless of when your case is settled, the results will always be retroactive to the beginning of the tax year for which you filed your property tax grievance.

If you win a property tax reduction, our fee is a percentage of the first year of savings. If your case goes to SCAR, you may incur a state imposed filing fee (currently $30.00) and homeowners may have a $75.00 CMA fee. Tax savings in subsequent years are entirely yours. IF THERE IS NO REDUCTION, WE DO NOT CHARGE A FEE.

Your property taxes will remain unchanged. There are no penalties and you can file again next year if you choose.

Yes, although the required information and evidence needed to successfully represent oneself for a property tax hearing is difficult to obtain without the proper software and know how.

The owner, other applicant/taxpayer, or a representative who has the applicant’s written authorization.

Westchester County’s Municipality:

The 3rd Tuesday in June for most Westchester County towns & cities

The 3rd Tuesday in February for most Westchester County villages

City of White Plains - January 21

City of Yonkers - Filings: November 1 – November 15

Orange County’s Municipality:

The 3rd Tuesday in February for most Orange County villages

The 4th Tuesday in May for most Orange County towns & cities

As a homeowner, you are entitled to file a Property Tax Grievance. A Property Tax Grievance allows your assessment to be reviewed by the Assessor to see if a reduction is warranted. If the Assessor does not reduce your assessment, an appeal can be filed to have an impartial hearing officer determine if your house is overvalued for tax purposes.

Your property taxes (assessment) which appear on your tax bill, are multiplied by the tax rates to determine what you pay in taxes. Tax rates generally increase every year, so even if your assessment remains unchanged, your taxes increase.

To calculate the amount you pay in property taxes;

Multiply your property’s assessment (your assessment minus any exemptions) by the tax rates issued by your school district,  municipalities, counties and special districts.

Your tax bill can change each year due to changes in your school district or local government budgets, revenue, total assessed value and tax rates.

Changes in your assessment or exemptions can also impact your tax bill.

Property tax bills
Tax bill calendars differ in different counties, as well as some cities.

Rather than receiving tax bills, those who have their property taxes held in escrow receive receipts.

The price at which a property would sell if offered for sale under ordinary circumstances. Market value is usually determined by comparison with similar homes.

Your property’s assessment is one of the factors used by your local governments and school district to determine the amount of your property taxes. A property’s assessment is based on its market value. Market value is how much a property would sell for under normal conditions.

A property tax grievance is a formal complaint against the assessed value of your property.

There are two levels of formal review:

Administrative review (BAR) – The property tax grievance process is conducted at the municipal level.
Judicial review (SCAR) – In order to pursue judicial review (SCAR) you must first go through administrative review. The state currently imposes a $30.00 filing fee for each case.