New Homeowners in Suffolk...

Did you file a tax grievance with the county for your property taxes??? We are not sure if we will or not. We already applied for the STAR program, but won't get the break until next year.

Has anyone else filed a grievance? If so, what is the process and what are the pros/cons?
Thanks,

Claud, this was posted by Fletch on the NWR board.

So weird this post is up today b/c I was just working on this most of the morning. I have a condo in Long Beach that I am trying to sell and my real estate agent called to say someone was interested but was apprehensive b/c of the taxes. So to try and see if I could lower them I called regarding this. In order to file a grievance you have to fill out a form and attach documentation of recent sales of homes/condos etc. that are comparable to your home that are being assessed for less. It is a nightmare. I didn’t; have time b/c I only found out today and the info had to be filed by Monday. You can call the Dept of assessment to find out your homes value. Their number is 516-571-2049. It is all very confusing. Having grown up in Manhattan I have no idea how all this works.


I dont know if this will help you..

Thanks, Suzanne. I really appreciate your response. I assume I'd have to call the Dept of Assessment in Suffolk, though.
I am hoping that some of the new homeowners in Suffolk will pipe in!

John might know some more about this... I dont get involved in certain things

I know that when we applied for STAR it was too late for that year, and we had to wait a year to save also. (if that makes any sense )

I'll see if John can help here...

Suzanne, you grew up in Manhattan ? I thought you were a Long Island girl

I am TOTALY a li girl!! that was a post by fletch and i thought it would help out claud!!

ALWAYS A LONG ISLAND GIRL!! LOL

We did the tax grievance thing... not sure of what became of it...
I tend to tune out 'bill talk'.

Our lawyer suggested that we might want to contact Mark Lewis Tax Grievance Service last year - they work on a contingency basis, and take a percentage of the savings only if they win for you. I think they get 50% of the first year savings, and a $50 appraisal fee only if they win, otherwise nothing.

When we called, they asked us a few questions, then told us to wait till the following year because if you've just purchased the home, the sale price is used for the valuation instead of an appraisal.

We're considering doing something this year - I think the deadline in Suffolk is mid-May. Their phone number is 631-696-2222 if you want to give them a call.

Suzanne !! LMAO !! Oops, I didnt realize that (Woops ya caught me 'skimming' a post and then jumping to conclusions !! LOL. (bad Anna!)

JennRenne - LMAO again !! I thought it was just me that 'tuned out' certain things !! When we have repairmen come over and they have to get to certain things, or ask certain questions, I have to call John at work

I knew there was a reason I love you girls !!

Just bumping for other input...and...

Anna - did you have any time to ask John about this? Thanks

Claud- There is an attorney Mark Lewis on Middle Country Road in Centereach/Selden that handles that stuff. They just send you a form that you complete and mail back to them. They review your tax situation and then decide if they feel they can 'win' your case or not. This is all they do, tax grievences for homeowners. You do NOT pay anything unless they agree to take the 'case' and win your case. If they win you a reduction you pay them 1/2 of one years savings- so if you get a $1,000 reduction per year, you pay them $500 once for doing your case.

I tried already and they said that I am being assessed correctly so they didn't take our case But I have ready about MarK Lewis is lots of place and it cannot hurt to try. You have only until May 1 to file the paperwork so you should call him soon.

And I also think it $ucks that we have to wait unitl 2004 for STAR to kick in.

Claud- John said we didnt do this. because there is a chance that they find that your taxes should be higher. hope that makes sense !

We did apply for STAR and got it the following year.