Assessor's Office
Laura Breslin, Assessor - ext. 224
Kitty Dean, Assessor Clerk - ext. 225
Malverne Toll, Assessor Clerk - ext. 226
Patti Laster, Data Collector - ext. 226

Board of Assessment Review
Scott Reich
Philip Reich

About Our Department
he assessor is a local government official who estimates the value of real property within a city, town, or village's boundaries. This value is converted into an assessment, which is one component in the computation of real property tax bills.

The assessor is obligated by New York State law to maintain assessments at a uniform percentage of market value each year. The assessor signs an oath to this effect when certifying the tentative assessment roll - the document containing each property assessment. The physical description (or inventory) and value estimate of every parcel is required to be kept current. In order to maintain a uniform roll, each year your assessor will need to analyze all of the properties in the municipality to determine which assessments need to be changed.

Where assessments need to be changed, in some cases, your assessor will be able to increase or decrease the assessments of a neighborhood or group of properties by applying real estate market trends to those properties. This is possible only when the assessments to be changed are at a uniform level other than the municipality's stated level of assessment. In other cases, the assessor will need to conduct physical re-inspections for reappraisals of properties. Every assessing unit should be keeping all assessments at a fair and uniform level every year.

The assessment roll shows assessments and appropriate exemptions. Every year the roll, with preliminary or tentative assessments, is made available for public inspection. After the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) has acted on assessment complaints and ordered any changes, the tentative assessment roll is made final.

The assessor performs many other administrative functions, such as inspecting new construction and major improvements to existing structures. This ensures that the record of each property's physical inventory is current and that the appropriate improvements are assessed.

The assessor also approves and keeps track of property tax exemptions. Among the most common are the senior citizen, School Tax Relief (STAR), veterans, agricultural, and business exemptions.

Important dates to remember:

March 1st Taxable Status Date, filing deadline for ALL exemptions.

May 1st Tentative Roll Date and assessment changes mailed to property owners.  Assessment Roll available for review.

Fourth Tuesday in May is Grievance Day, to file a formal appeal with the Board of Assessment Review.

July 1st Final Assessment Roll filed.

More detailed information: www.orps.state.ny.us

Frequently Asked Questions
What and when is Taxable Status Day?
Property is assessed according to its condition and ownership as of March 1st (Taxable Status Day). Any new improvements to property after March 1st will not be included in the assessment until the following year.

When and what is Grievance Day?
Property owners who feel their property is unfairly assessed have the right to present information in support of their claim to the Board of Assessment Review. Grievance Day always takes place on the 4th Tuesday in May. Grievance forms are available at the Assessor's Office.

What is the STAR (School Tax Relief) Exemption?
STAR is the New York State School Tax Relief program that provides an exemption from school property taxes only for OWNER-OCCUPIED, PRIMARY RESIDENCES.

The Enhanced STAR Exemption is available to senior citizens whose combined income does not exceed $62,100 in the year prior to the year of application. All property owners must be 65 years of age or older. For property owned by a husband and wife, only one of them has to be 65 years of age. Proof of the following must be submitted with the application:

1. Income
2. Residency (driver's license, library card, voter registration, etc.)
3. Age

Senior citizens eligible for the senior citizens exemption will automatically receive the Enhanced STAR exemption and need not apply for STAR.

The Basic STAR Exemption is available to all owner-occupied-primary residences regardless of age or income. There are other exceptions available. Please inquire at the Assessor's office.

When is the last day to file for exemptions?
The last date for exemption filing is March 1st. Applications must be filed with the Assessor's Office.

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