Grievance

I am confused. What factors make the decision if you can grieve you taxes or not? Two years in a row I've gotten a letter from Mark Lewis to try their services and two years in a row I spoke with someone there who tells me that it won't work for me? If my house is being taxed at X, wouldn't the falling real estate market make it worth grieving because you are being taxed on a higher house worth?
Someone please explain? I am lost. I have not grieved the entire three years I've owned and the previous owner may have two years before that???

Re: Grievance

I cant answer your question, but I do have a comment.

I am renting right now, and the owners must get 5 letters a month from offices that help you "greive" your taxes.

I dont have much experience, but I KNOW I wouldnt use any company that sent me a letter.

Talk to friends and neighbors. Find out who THEY use and why. THAT might get you results.

Re: Grievance

If you think your assessement is too high, you can always grieve them yourself. You don't need to use a service at all.

I don't have any experience using Mark Lewis or any other company, but you usually pay them by giving them a portion of your tax savings, if they are ultimately successful. So why not try yourself?

I am not sure where you live. But in Nassau, for example, you have until March 1 to appeal your assessement. If you check out this section of the county assessor's website, it gives you more info.

http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/ARC/index.html

Re: Grievance

Since you're calling mark Lewis I assume you're in Suffolk. The best way to tell if you are over assessed is to take your assessed value (found on your tax bill) and divide it by the residential assessment ratio for your particular town. If that amount is less than the market value of your home (what you could get for it if you sold it today) then you have a chance at a lower assessment

Re: Grievance

Does anyone have a website or anything on how to do it yourself in Suffolk?

Re: Grievance

In Suffolk County, you don't file a grievance against the County. You file it against the Town.

So if you live in the Town of Babylon, you would file against the Town of Babylon. Most Town websites have the grievance form on there with instructions.