Real Property Tax Assessment: With Real Property Values On The Decline & With Changes To The Empire Zones Program, Now Is The Time To Ensure Your Property Is Not Over Assessed

May 7, 2009

The value of real property fluctuates with the economy, which in today's environment is ripe for tax savings. In the midst of this recession, as we have watched the unemployment rate climb to a twenty-five year high, the stock market drop to historic lows, and the housing market collapse, it is no surprise that residential and commercial property values across the country have dropped considerably.

In addition to the state of the economy, legislation also has the potential to impact property values. Of particular significance in New York State are the recent changes to the Empire Zone Program which was signed into law on April 7, 2009. The new legislation requires that all certified businesses be reviewed in 2009 to determine whether their Empire Zone certification should be retained or revoked. The loss of Empire Zone certification benefits including the real property tax credit, tax reduction credit, sales tax exemption, etc., could substantially reduce the business's real property value, not to mention increase the business's cost of operations. Reduced property values, coupled with increased operating costs and new obstacles to Zone certification are all factors decreasing the marketability -- and assessed value -- of your real property.

All too often, local assessors do not have the time or the resources to keep up with these changes and in many cases rely on generalities or state-aided, formulaic approaches that can considerably diverge from actual values, resulting in the drastic over valuation of real property. If you believe your local assessor has over assessed your property, the only way to correct it is to launch a timely challenge to your assessment in the appropriate administrative and judicial forum. However, to exercise your rights in these forums, you must be knowledgeable of the applicable statutory procedures to secure possible tax savings to which you may be entitled.

Generally, assessors determine if real property is subject to taxation each March 1, which is known as the taxable status date. Assessors determine a property's taxable status by its present condition and ownership, which means its current use and not some future contemplated use. Once assessors determine a property's taxable status, they will assess the property based on the property's value as of the preceding July 1, known as the valuation date. Tentative tax rolls are filed each May 1, which is typically when property owners first learn of their assessments.

In order for property owners to challenge their assessments, they must file a grievance with their local Board of Assessment Review ("BAR"). Generally, "Grievance Day" is the fourth Tuesday in May, which this year is May 26. The BAR will then conduct hearings, after which it will determine final assessments, and the final assessment roll will be filed July 1. Challenging your assessment adds value to your property -- doing so now starts the necessary process of securing possible future (transferable) benefits for a potential buyer. If you are not satisfied with the BAR's determination and you want to further challenge your assessment, you must commence a special proceeding in New York State Supreme Court within 30 days after the filing of the final assessment roll (usually July 31). Failure to file a grievance by May 26 is fatal in challenging your assessment. Please note that some municipalities have different deadlines, so it is imperative to know each municipality's procedures.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact us.

In Buffalo / Niagara Falls, call 716- 566-2800 or e-mail:

In the Capital District, call 518-533-3000 or e-mail:

In Central New York, call 315-218-8000 or e-mail:

In the Rochester Region, call 585-362-4700 or e-mail: