Settlement | Tax Assessment & Condemnation Report

Counties Taking An Active Roll In Property Tax Appeals – Why It Has Taken So Long

By Rebecca M. Speno on December 16th, 2012 Posted in Assessments, Assessors, Settlement

“The times they are a-changin’”. In our field, this is best evidenced by upstate New York counties taking an active roll in defending property tax assessment appeals. Although counties in upstate New York have no assessment function and generally are responsible for only a fraction of any property tax refunds owed, lately it seems as though counties feel like they have been hung out to dry (or so… Continue Reading

Nassau Taxpayers Expecting Refunds May Have to Wait Until 2013 for Relief

By Kathleen M. Bennett on October 14th, 2012 Posted in Assessments, Assessors, Settlement

On August 8, 2012 Nassau County filed a Notice of Appeal, which stayed Judge Thomas Adams’ Order that required the County to pay property tax refunds within 60 days, or risk having its bank accounts seized. While the County stated it filed the notice of appeal to preserve its rights, the appeal only prolongs the inevitable: the County must return to its… Continue Reading

What’s wrong with Real Property Tax Law Section 727?

By Rebecca M. Speno on September 23rd, 2012 Posted in Assessments, Settlement, Valuation

Real Property Tax Law Section 727 - the ”freeze” period after a property assessment appeal is settled or a judicial decision is issued that reduces the assessment. The goal of Section 727 is two-fold: first, it prevents assessors from changing an assessment (more likely, increasing an assessment) during the term of the freeze unless there is a revaluation, improvements/demolition, or occupancy changes in excess of 25%,… Continue Reading