School Taxes - OMG

Is it possible that my school taxes went up over $1800 since last year? We've only been in our house since June of 2010 but from 2010 until 2011 our taxes actually went down a little bit. This year our star is kicking in (which over $1200) but even with that our taxes are up almost $600

I'm flabbergasted. Is there anything we can do?? Besides cry of course.

We live in Wantagh but in the Seaford school district.

TIA

Re: School Taxes - OMG

Is it possible that the previous owners were getting exemptions (e.g. enhanced STAR, VA, etc.) that continued to be applied to your tax bill when you first moved in? Sometimes it takes awhile for everything to catch up and the new owner continues to reap the benefits?

If not, did you check www.mynassauproperty.com to see how your assessed value has changed, if it has? Our assessed value has stayed relatively flat, but our school taxes went up almost $900 (in N. Bellmore schools) last year.

If it did go up (or even if it didn't), you can check how the assessed value of your home compares with comparable homes on your block/neighborhood to see if you are out of whack with the others. If it seems unjustifiably higher, you could always try to appeal your assessement. The instructions on how to do this are on the Nassau County Assessor's website, but the deadline to appeal the 2012-13 tax roll was March 1, I believe. So you could do it for the following year.

Hope this helps!

Re: School Taxes - OMG

I'm in the same school SD. I think it was just the percentage it went up, it was 8.something % and that I believe was the contingency budget. I grieved my taxes so hopefully it will come down a little bit for next year...

Re: School Taxes - OMG