Please note the Assessor's Office hours have changed.
The Assessor will be in the office on Tuesdays from 1pm to 5pm.
Grievance day is May 27th from 4pm-8pm
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Any person who pays property taxes can grieve an assessment, including:
• property owners • purchasers • tenants who are required to pay property taxes pursuant to a lease or written agreement
Only the assessment on the current tentative assessment roll can be grieved - you can’t grieve assessments from prior years.
There is no cost to grieve an assessment and it does not require you to hire a lawyer.
Filing the grievance form
Use Form RP-524 Complaint on Real Property Assessment to grieve your assessment. The form is available from our website (www.tax.ny.gov) or from your assessor’s office. https://www.tax.ny.gov/forms/orpts/assessment_grievance.htm
File the grievance form with the assessor For the Board of Assessment Review.
Grievance Day in the Town of Collins is May 27th from 4pm to 8pm
Grievance Day is the deadline for submitting Form RP-524, but if you want an appointment you must submit your Form RP-524 by Friday May 22nd.
Non-resident property owners
If you’re a property owner who doesn’t reside in the municipality where you own property, you have additional rights related to grieving your assessment:
Deadline for filing Form RP-524
The deadline for submitting Form RP-524 is Grievance Day. If you mail the form, it must be received by the assessor no later than Grievance Day. If you do not file the form by the deadline, you will lose the opportunity for administrative and judicial review of your assessment this year.
You can file a written request for a list of your property, the assessed value, and the time and place for hearing grievances. The request must be made no later than 15 days prior to Tentative Roll Date. (Tentative Roll Date is May 1). The assessor must mail the information to you no later than five days after the completion of the tentative assessment roll.
Stipulating to an assessment reduction
On or prior to Grievance Day, you and the assessor may stipulate to a reduced assessment of the value of your property. To do so, complete and sign Part Six of Form RP-524. Be sure to receive a copy of the signed stipulation for your records.
If you enter into a stipulation, you may not ask the board of assessment review for a further reduction in your assessment. If the agreed upon assessment appears on the final assessment roll, you will not be allowed to seek a lower assessment through judicial review.
Appearing before the BAR
The BAR consists of three to five members appointed by the town board. The BAR cannot include the assessor or any staff from the assessor's office. Assessors, however, are required to attend all formal hearings of the board and have the right to be heard on any complaint.
You have the right to attend the hearing of the BAR and to present statements and/or documentation in support of your grievance. You may appear personally, with or without your attorney or other representative.
If you choose to be represented by your attorney or other representative, you must authorize that person to appear on your behalf (see Part Four of Form RP-524).
The BAR may require you or your representative to appear personally, or to submit additional evidence. If you refuse to appear or answer any material question you will not be entitled to a reduction in assessment.
Notification of the BAR’s decision
You will receive a notice of the board's determination, except where the board ratifies a stipulated assessment. The notice must contain a statement of the reasons for the board's determination.