The process isn't over. For those who did not challenge their preliminary assessment or for those dissatisfied with the adjustment made, the tentative assessment can be contested. The first step should probably be a visit to the city assessor, who is in his office at City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Information on how to contest your assessment is available on the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website. The process of contesting your tentative assessment involves filing a written complaint using Form RP-524, which is available from the assessor or online by clicking here. The form needs to be submitted to the assessor before Tuesday, May 28, which is Grievance Day.
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Preliminary findings from folks I've talked to tell me that the GAR folks were not especially generous and that the "come-and-see-me" Assessor doesn't do much more than hand out the RP-524s for May 28.... And here's a nice conundrum, one I raised at the last CC meeting: if GAR forgave a property $80,000 is that property's "comparables" automatically reduced as well? Does the Assessor at least tell those folks? And what happens after the May 28 grievance? Will all the comparables impacted by the "give-backs" (should there be any?) be adjusted accordingly?
ReplyDeleteUsing anecdotal "findings" without any data and language like "come-and-see-me" assessor feels like an attempt to attack the assessor and challenge the authenticity of his offer.
DeleteI have worked with the assessor previously on my grievance in 2018. It was not approved, but I found him to be fair, patient and highly knowledgeable. These are the steady leadership qualities I am grateful for as many attempt to politicize the assessment process.
Any adjustment made to a property's preliminary assessment after the informal review, or to the tentative assessment after Grievance Day, affects only the assessment for the property the subject of the review or grievance. The only manner in which an adjustment to a property assessment impacts other properties, comparable or not, results from the change in the overall tax base; that is, the total taxable assessed value for all properties in the City.
ReplyDeleteAssuming that's true, it only reinforces the argument of many that the system is broken. One day we are told we have to use comparables; the next, we are told not to (or can't).
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true. If you regard this as a broken system, your complaint belongs in Albany with the NYS legislature, not with GAR nor the Hudson Common Council, nor, for that matter, Mayor Rector. You would be well advised to develop a better understanding of what "comparables" means in terms of real estate valuation, and tax grievance, before continuing your scatter gun approach to the truth. And, by the way, I am among those who regard the GAR report as seriously flawed in its methodology, collection and analysis of data.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this fact-based post and your previous one. This is the standard we should hold ourselves to in Hudson. Thank you, White Whale Limited.
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