the process

Let's Break it Down

A Tax Grievance is a formal complaint made by a property owner to the town when they believe they are overpaying in taxes. The town will hear your case and decide whether you deserve a reduction or not. The majority of property owners get denied at BAR (Board of Assessment Review) but you can appeal your case at SCAR (Small Claims Assessment Review). You can learn more below or visit the New York State Tax Grievance Procedures website.

01. Sign An Application for Correction of Property Tax Assessment

Signing an application allows Aventine Properties to represent you in the tax grievance process. You will receive confirmation that we have taken on your case and we may ask for photos of the property or updated property information. When the tax grievance window opens to file, we will submit all of the proper paperwork and evidence of overassessment using comparable properties.

02. Board of Assessment

The Board of Assessment Review (BAR) or the Assessment Review Commission (ARC) reviews the Complaint on Real Property Assessment with supporting documentation. They base their decision on the grounds of the property being:

Unequally Assessed
Excessively Assessed
Unlawfully Assessed
Misclassified

03. Waiting for a Decision

BAR/ARC can take an average of 5 months to review the submission. Deadlines are normally around the spring time, which means we won't have an update on the case until early fall. In most cases, BAR complaints are denied on essentially a pro-forma basis. Appeal of this decision is necessary through Small Claims Assessment Review.

04. Appeal at Small Claims

Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) is a formal meeting with the Assessor and a Hearing Officer. We present the case to an impartial judge along with all supporting documentation. These are much more successful than presenting at BAR/ARC. Court hearings could be scheduled anywhere from six to fifteen months after BAR/ARC making this a year long process.

05. Waiting for Final Decision

Once the court hearing happens, it typically only takes a few weeks to receive back the signed paperwork from the judge. If a reduction is granted, you should see the adjustment on your next tax bill. If for whatever reason the judge still denies it, you shouldn't be discouraged. The real estate market is changing all the time, meaning you should get a head start on a tax grievance for the next year.