Tentative Property Assessment Rolls

In the state of New York, tentative assessment rolls are a preview of what homes and businesses have been assessed for in preparation for the upcoming tax season. We have covered them in-depth elsewhere for a more comprehensive breakdown. These rolls provide a thorough exploration of how the value of properties has changed, mostly influenced by recent years of market activity. These sales studies then form the basis for the market value of every piece of real estate in the county.

Key Information to Review

Tentative rolls are vitally important to property owners because they contain all of the information needed to understand an upcoming tax bill. This includes basic assessment information like size, classification, improvements, and exemptions. Even if you are not planning a property tax grievance, it is best to look through your roll to see if any of the basic areas have mistakes. For instance, incorrect classification could have huge implications when it comes to your tax burden, as this is what primarily determines your level of assessment. Because of the volume of properties, it is not uncommon to find some minor or major issues in the roll.

The market and assessed values are also something to keep in mind. Because they are tied to the volatile real estate market, they can ebb and flow annually. These values may not reflect the current market, however, as they draw upon the last three years. One of the main purposes of grievances is to bring the county’s market value in line with the actual value. It is important to review these values and see if any unexpected spikes have occurred.

Suffolk Gets a Late Start

Since they are part of New York City, Kings and Queens counties have already seen their grievance window come and go. Nassau County was supposed to close to grievances on March 1, but this was extended to March 31 after strong demand and rising values. Suffolk, as is typical, is the last Long Island County to go through the process. With a tentative assessment roll set for around May 1, Suffolk County not only starts late, but has an abbreviated grievance window to boot.

Suffolk Grievance Deadline is May 19

Typically, in New York, taxpayers have 30 days between the release of the tentative tax roll and the grievance deadline. This allows taxpayers to study the roll and look for any errors. This can be inaccurate values, unequal assessment when compared to neighbors, or much simpler errors like incorrect ownership, classification, or exemptions. However, this is not the case in Suffolk County, as the window is much smaller. After the tentative roll is released around May 1, taxpayers only have until May 19 to file a grievance. This means you have only half the time that your neighbors on Long Island have to discover any issues and put together your evidence for a grievance.

Evidence Needed for a Successful Grievance

If there are issues such as incorrect classification, ownership, or improvements, these are easy to prove with simple photographs and documentation. If you are grieving on the grounds that your assessment is unfair or too high, that will take more effort. To prove unequal assessment, you must gather the assessments from neighboring properties that are similar to yours in characteristics like size, age, and classification. If these records show that you are being valued higher than they are, then this is solid evidence for a grievance. If you believe you are being assessed too highly, you will need to gather sales data over the past three years for your area, proving that the real estate market is not as high as the assessor claims.

Start Building Your Evidence Now

While the release of the tentative roll and the deadline for grievances are still a month away, it is best to get started now if you want to be ready for the short window. Putting together evidence can take time, so you will want to get a head start to avoid a time crunch in the scant few weeks between the roll and the deadline. Sales records can usually be found with realtors, though it can be a lengthy process. Commercial property grievances require even more evidence and should be prepared year-round. Businesses need to give an accurate accounting of their income and costs, while also showing the worth of their tangible assets. The more evidence you gather now, the less time and stress you will have in the short window to come.

O’Connor Helps Businesses and Homeowners with Grievances

As one of the most in-demand counties in the nation, Suffolk County home and business values are only going to increase each year. Tax rates have also been going up to meet budgetary demands, with many falling short, forcing more tax hikes. If you want to be valued and taxed fairly in Suffolk County, you must handle much of the work yourself. However, while the onus is on the taxpayer, you do not have to go through the process alone.

For over 50 years, we at O’Connor have helped taxpayers lower their taxes through appeals, grievances, exemptions, and even lawsuits. We help businesses and homeowners alike and will always push your grievance to the highest appropriate level. When you join O’Connor, you are not simply dealing with an automated system or an AI bot; you are given a client success consultant who will be your personal advocate and contact throughout the whole process. We will analyze your assessment, help with exemptions, and file grievances on your behalf. We will also represent you at all hearings, including those with the Board of Assessment Review (BAR). There is no cost to join, and you will only be charged a fee from your savings if we can lower your taxes.