Grievance Day: Last chance to lower your taxes

Throughout New York state “Grievance Day” is the one day a year when property owners can appear before the Board of Assessment Review — the “BAR” — an appointed volunteer committee of people from your own town, to argue for a change in the assessed value of their property for taxation purposes.

This year Grievance Day in the Town of North East is on May 28 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Town Hall on North Maple Street.

In Amenia and Pine Plains Grievance Day this year is on May 27th.

Before appearing before the “BAR” complainants must complete Form RP-524, which in addition to general information requires owners to specify the basis of their argument for reducing their assessment.

The form targets whether its not comparable to other properties, is excessive based on its full value, and whether exemptions or classification are incorrect.

Ideally arguments should be supported by documentation of recent sales, comparison of assessments to neighboring properties, appraisals, and listing of factors that might decrease the value of the property such as wetlands or boarded-up buildings next door.
Experts note that simply saying something like “my taxes are too high” is the wrong strategy.

The real driver of how much you will pay in taxes are the budgets of the town, county, fire department and, most of all, your school district which accounts for 50% of your total property tax burden.

The assessors in North East, Pine Plains and Amenia try to maintain 100% valuation of all properties. This means a property’s assessment should reflect its current market value.

In late April all assessors mailed notifications of assessments that will be used as a basis for 2026 taxes. In North East commercial assessed values were increased 6% and residential values 8%.

If the proposed assessment of your home seems high or has gone up this year in excess of the general 8% consider going in and talking to your assessor before Grievance Day.

Based on recent sales assessors often look for assessments that seem out of whack with the market. For example, one owner saw their assessment go up 26% probably because of a sale across the street. Just call ahead to make an appointment and be prepared to argue your case for reducing your assessed value — but not your taxes.

And there are instances where owners want to increase their assessment if they are planning on listing their property for sale.