Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for assessments and taxes?
Your property assessment is determined by a tax assessor, who is an elected or appointed local official. Property taxes, on the other hand, are established by your local taxing jurisdiction, which may be a school district, town, county or other entity.

The property tax reduction process targets your assessment, which may remain constant for a significant period of time, while tax rates are subject to more frequent fluctuation.

What is the difference between market value and assessed value?
Market value is the selling price that a piece of property could be expected to demand "under normal conditions." The "assessed value" is determined by a local tax assessor for purposes of establishing the amount of property tax to be paid by the owner.

What is the deadline for filing a property tax grievance?
Deadlines vary by jurisdiction. Please click here for your town's deadline.

Could my assessment rise as a consequence of filing a grievance?
Typically, no. Only if your town undertakes a complete property revaluation or if you have made unreported improvements to your property may this be a possibility. During your free preliminary evaluation, we will discuss your personal situation.

How can I determine if I'm paying too much property tax?
Click here to complete a short home profile, and our network of real estate professionals will make a quick determination of whether or not you are paying too much tax. If you are, we will develop a strategy for obtaining a more favorable assessment of your property value, which will provide the basis for a property tax reduction.

How much do you charge for your service?
Westchester Property Tax Reduction only gets paid if we're successful in obtaining a lowered property assessment for you. If we win your appeal, we charge 50% of your first year's savings. The process also involves a formal appraisal, which would be performed by a professional appraiser. A complete interior/exterior appraisal typically costs approximately $350.

Will I have to attend any court hearings?
No. In many cases, we are successful in winning your case before the Board of Assessment Review. Unlike many of our competitors, we request an in-person meeting with that body instead of simply filing your documents. If, however, it becomes necessary to appeal to the Small Claims Court, we will also handle all details of that process.