Tax greiving question

I filed a tax grievance directly with the town of hempstead in January. I haven't heard anything back from them. Is that normal?
The reason I ask is that many people apply for a grievance though that attorney Mark ??? something... and i feel like they hear back quickly. Maybe im wrong. Anyone know how this works?
Also, if i already filed directly, could I file through my lawyer?
I applied for STAR in December and just finally got a notice in the mail that it was approved and will be reflected on my October tax bill.

TIA for any insight!

Re: Tax greiving question

Yes - it is completely normal.

First of all, Mark Lewis is not an attorney - he operates a tax grievance company (you don't need to be an attorney to represent someone in a small claims proceeding). Mark Lewis' operation deals with grievances in Suffolk County. I don't believe he deals with Nassau County at all.

Nassau and Suffolk operate in totally different ways with totally different timetables. In fact, Nassau County operates like no other tax jurisdiction in New York State - but that's a different story. and

In January, the grievance you filed was for the 2013/14 assessment. This assessment roll becomes final on April 1, 2013. Nassau County has until 4/1/13 to unilaterally reduce your assessment. If they do not reduce it, you have to file a small claims Petition between 4/1/13 and 4/30/13. At that point, the matter will be put on the Court's calendar, and you will be assigned a small claims hearing date.

As long as you filed the first step (the grievance in January), you can ask an attorney to take over the proceedings for the second step and file the petition for you in April of 2013.

Re: Tax greiving question

Posted by Mill188

Yes - it is completely normal.

First of all, Mark Lewis is not an attorney - he operates a tax grievance company (you don't need to be an attorney to represent someone in a small claims proceeding). Mark Lewis' operation deals with grievances in Suffolk County. I don't believe he deals with Nassau County at all.

Nassau and Suffolk operate in totally different ways with totally different timetables. In fact, Nassau County operates like no other tax jurisdiction in New York State - but that's a different story. and

In January, the grievance you filed was for the 2013/14 assessment. This assessment roll becomes final on April 1, 2013. Nassau County has until 4/1/13 to unilaterally reduce your assessment. If they do not reduce it, you have to file a small claims Petition between 4/1/13 and 4/30/13. At that point, the matter will be put on the Court's calendar, and you will be assigned a small claims hearing date.

As long as you filed the first step (the grievance in January), you can ask an attorney to take over the proceedings for the second step and file the petition for you in April of 2013.

Re: Tax greiving question

yes - it is!!!

It's one of the biggest reasons Nassau County is in the financial mess it's in.