Filing for Tax Grievance

I know this has been discussed before, but I searched and didn't find a specific answer. I want to file a grievance myself. I live in Suffolk. Can I just do this in person at the Assessor's office? Is the deadline sometime in May?

Also we applied for the STAR program a few months ago when we closed but it won't take effect until January of next year. That won't make a difference for us, will it? TIA!

Re: Filing for Tax Grievance

To answer your first question, the filing period in Suffolk County is from May 1 through the third Tuesday of May. For 2011, that means May 2 (the 1st is a Sunday) through May 17, 2011.

You can find the application on your town's website. Print it out, fill it out and submit it to the Assessor's office together with your supporting information (i.e., appraisal, closing statement, comps, etc.) prior to Close of Business on May 17, 2011. Make sure you have more than one copy. I *think* they take two copies and return one stamped copy to you, but the details of that can be found on either their website or by calling. The grievance application MUST be submitted in person.

The STAR program has absolutely nothing to do with the grievance process and won't affect you in any way.

Re: Filing for Tax Grievance

Thank you very much!

Re: Filing for Tax Grievance

I did it successfully several years ago. Just be sure to have comparables to back up your claim. The town tax department should be able to help you understand the paperwork that needs to be filed and point you to the tax map books where you can research the values of similar properties to yours in your area. Ask them to copy the pages with the ones you find, it might cost you a quarter a copy, and submit them with your paperwork to prove that your grievance has merit. Good luck!

Re: Filing for Tax Grievance