Jacobowitz & Gubits Can Help You Reduce Your Property Taxes and Obtain Tax Exemption
We offer personalized client services to help businesses, nonprofits and residential property owners reduce their real estate taxes. We have won our clients numerous and substantial reductions and tax exemptions in New York State throughout the Hudson Valley.
The services we offer include:
- Obtaining tax assessment reduction and exemptions
- Board of Assessment Review (BAR) complaints
- Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) petitions
- Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) Article 7 lawsuits
- Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) Article 78 proceedings
- Correction of errors on tax rolls.
Experienced Property Tax Lawyers
As experienced tax cert, real estate, transaction and litigation attorneys, we are familiar with the different ways to challenge an unfavorable property assessment or appraisal based on factors such as current use, comparable sales, current economic conditions and recent business performance.
We are familiar with applying for tax exemptions and challenging denials and revocations of exemptions. Property tax exemptions can be based on many different characteristics of the owner or the use of the property. Just a few of the grounds for exemption include old age, disability, veterans of military service, nonprofit, religious, schools, libraries, agricultural, environmental, renewable energy, historical or scientific use.
Our law firm also has substantial experience advising local municipalities on a wide range of property tax issues. Our perspective on the assessment process benefits both our municipal and non-municipal clients.
With over 30 years of experience on all aspects of New York property assessment issues, John Thomas of our firm enjoys a statewide reputation for excellence in client service on the legal, procedural and practical aspects of grievance, appeal and exemption issues.
Deadlines to Keep in Mind
New York property tax grievances and appeals can be procedurally challenging. Each stage of the process is deadline driven, and if you miss a deadline, there is usually nothing you can do about it until the following year. In certain circumstances, this firm can assist those who have missed a deadline.
Here is a brief summary of the usual steps and timing for tax grievances in municipalities in New York State (exact dates and procedures should be confirmed with this firm):
- March 1 - The inventory date for the current year's upcoming tax roll, based on property values as of July 1 of the previous year; also the deadline for applications for real property tax exemptions
- May 1 - Assessor files a tentative tax roll
- Fourth Tuesday in May (Grievance Day) - Last day for filing tax grievances with the Board of Assessment Review (BAR)
- July 1 - BAR hearings and decisions completed by this date; assessor files final tax roll
- July 31 - Final day for filing an Article 7 lawsuit or Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) petition based on a BAR grievance filed by the fourth Tuesday of May
- October 31 - Last day to file an Article 78 petition. This type of proceeding is generally brought when a property owner has been treated unfairly or unequally, such as in the case of unconstitutional selective assessment, or when a tax exemption has been revoked or denied.
Contact Us to Learn More
To learn more about the ways you or your business stand to benefit from our careful attention to detail in property tax appeals and certiorari actions, contact Jacobowitz & Gubits in Walden or Monticello.
