Making the most of property assessors offices in New York will require the office to assess the market value of a property. This value is then multiplied by the tax rate to determine the actual tax that the owner must pay on the property each year. Property tax rates may be set by organizations such as cities, counties or school districts.

New York property assessors offices use several factors such as location and size to determine the value of a property. This assessment is usually accurate and requires a property value appeal only on rare occasions. There are three things you need to do when evaluating the property value as determined by the assessor’s office:

1. Obtain the information the property assessors offices in New York use to make the assessment. You should already know the size and location of the property, but the assessor also will be able to provide the value of other properties in your area.
2. Get professional New York property assessments so you may compare them to the official value given by the assessor.
3. Appeal the assessor’s valuation of your property if needed. New York assessors have a specific procedure for accomplishing this.
   

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Learn more about the laws regarding New York property assessments

Each state has laws that provide guidelines on the way that property values are assessed. There also may be laws that specify what property tax information is publicly available.

I recommend: The Office of Real Property Services provides numerous links to information on real property assessment in New York. Carter Ledyard & Milburn has an overview of recent changes in New York property tax laws.

Find out how professional appraisers determine New York property values

Appraisers may use different methods to estimate the value of your property. You will want to ensure the professional appraiser considers the same factors as the property assessor.

I recommend: Westrock Appraisal Services has a FAQ of appraisal questions for New York. NY Real Estate Appraisals is based in Somers and answers questions on its appraisal process.

Learn how your county performs a New York property assessment

Many counties have online resources available to help you with your property tax assessment. You should be able to locate this information on your county's website, in addition to other information regarding property taxes.

I recommend: The Town Assessor for West Seneca provides extensive information on property tax exemptions. The Canaan Tax Assessor answers questions on property assessments and also offers additional resources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with your New York property assessor to see if you qualify for any exemptions on your property assessment. Exemptions may be recognized for disabled veterans, senior citizens or non-profit organizations. File any appeals to your current tax assessment before the tax deadline. It will be more difficult to obtain a favorable ruling on an appeal after the deadline.

Property assessors in New York use estimated property values for tax purposes. However, the records that the agencies collect can be invaluable for the investor or property owner.

It can be very useful to familiarize yourself with property assessors offices in New York. The data they collect are public records, thus usually easy for people to search. The information provided through these offices can be used to:

1. Research New York property assessments to learn the value of your property and the others that surround it.

2. Determine taxes or potential taxes on properties.

3. Research potential properties through real estate records. Old sale records can help investors know a property's true worth.

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Use online records to find New York property assessments

There are several ways now to find online records for property assessors offices--New York has several options. Since property records are public information, there are many New York cities and towns that offer free property and tax record searches online.

I recommend: These cities are just some that offer free online searchable databases for New York property values: Albany, New York City and Syracuse. Also, Assessor Links USA has a complete list of New York property assessor offices.

Learn the laws of New York property assessment

Knowing the laws for property assessment in New York can help property owners to better understand their tax bill and possibly work to lower it. For example, there are several property tax exemptions available in certain cities and towns in New York that include exemptions for non-profit agencies and certain exemptions for improvements to apartment buildings.

I recommend: New York's state finance office outlines how property is assessed in the state. Also, the Office of Real Property Assessment provides forms for filing tax exemptions.

Examine the process to appeal New York property assessments

Don't hesitate to appeal if you feel an inaccurate assessment will cost you more in taxes. Appealing property taxes is a common procedure and could end up saving you thousands of dollars.

I recommend: New York’s state finance department walks taxpayers through the process of appealing property taxes. A New York attorney recommended through the American Property Tax Counsel can help to file an appeal on property tax.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use the records available to research your tax bill and learn more about New York property assessments. If your bill looks higher than similar properties, don't be afraid to call the assessor's office and ask questions.
• •  The New York property assessor's estimated value may not be the true worth of the home. If you are thinking of selling or buying, use an appraiser.

New York property assessors, or appraisers, are licensed experts who assess the fair market value of real property in order to determine the local property taxes the owners pay each year based upon the applicable formula for the state of New York and county of residence. Typically an individual assessor specializes in assessing the value of either residential or commercial property. Those working in the state assessors offices evaluate properties based upon other buildings in that area and keep relevant public records.

While on-the-job training is usually available, state and federal regulations are in place for someone to become a New York property assessor. There are a number of other ways to obtain the necessary property assessors offices –- New York education and training. Some of these education strategies include:

1. Pass the required examinations to obtain licensing for property assessors in New York.

2. Property assessors offices – New York require a bachelor’s degree to apply for certification.

3. Study publications on New York property assessments.

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Acquire the necessary licensing and certification to perform property assessment in New York

In order to become a New York property assessor, you must obtain a real estate appraiser's license. It is a requirement for all states that their licensing and certification requirements for assessors and appraisers conform to those requirements established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board. Typically, the requirements to obtain an assessors license include specific training classes, on-the-job training time and the passing of specified exams.

I recommend: The New York Department of State – Division of Licensing Services addresses the frequently asked questions regarding real estate appraiser’s licenses, including education requirements. One of the licensing requirements for a number of the different New York appraiser licenses is that applicants complete 15 hours of the National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course offered by The Appraisal Foundation.

Obtain a bachelor's degree before applying for New York property assessment job openings

While there is no degree specific to property appraisals or assessments, as of 2008 the federal government requires all individuals applying for an appraiser or assessor license to have a bachelor's degree (or the equivalent of such in credit hours). Typically, a related field of study such as economics, finance or real estate is an appropriate major.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for training and qualification requirements for most assessors and appraisers. The Zicklin School of Business has an entire department devoted to real estate degrees at its Buruch College CUNY campus. Ellis College of the New York Institute of Technology offers a degree program for Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.

Find articles and manuals relevant to current New York property values

The New York property assessors office that you work for may provide you with a manual for your position. However, it would be beneficial to obtain additional manuals and articles from state and federal organizations that can increase your ability to perform your job successfully. Typically, these publications will apply current market trends and property tax formulas to the basics, giving you the ability to produce more accurate assessment results. Articles written for the public will give you a better idea of how to serve the clients of your New York property assessors office.

I recommend: The New York State Office of Real Property Services provides an assessor’s manual. Access previous issues of the Property Tax Monitor, written by the New York State Office of Real Property Services.

New York property assessors offices laws and regulations deal with property taxes that are based on the estimated value of real property. The fair market value is the most common standard of value used in New York, although there are other standards, such as the foreclosure value or distressed sale value. A property tax exemption is applied by reducing a property's assessed value by a specified amount before calculating the property tax.

There are a variety of information sources regarding the laws on New York property values. These sources include the three following categories:

1. The New York state government. These sources offer official information, including state laws that deal with property assessors in New York.
2. County and municipal governments in New York. These sources provide the rules and procedures for a specific property assessors office in New York.
3. New York law firms that include property law as one of their areas of practice. These firms may provide information on specific issues of property tax laws in New York.
   

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Examine the laws that control assessors of property values in New York

The state government of New York will have specific laws for property tax assessors. Private organizations also provide summaries and general information on property tax assessor laws in New York.

I recommend: The Office of Real Property Services summarizes the property tax laws in New York. Justia.com provides for the assessment of real property in Article 3, Title 1 of the New York Code.

Study the procedures for conducting New York property assessment in a particular jurisdiction

Local governments have specific procedures for property assessments and also may offer a New York property tax search. A complete list of New York property tax records may also be available.

I recommend: The Assessor for the Town of Brighton provides a FAQ on the regulations for property assessment that is specific to that town. The Assessor for the Town of Bethlehem provides its exemptions to property assessments according to the City Code.

Review New York property assessors laws from law firms in New York

New York lawyers who specialize in property law frequently offer summaries on the property taxes that are assessed in New York. They also may write articles on specific issues regarding property taxes in New York.

I recommend: The Vincelette Law Firm specializes in New York property law and lists numerous decisions involving property assessments in New York. McCabe & Mack provides specific information on appealing property tax assessments under New York law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many laws on New York property assessments are the result of the Financial Institutions Reform and Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). The savings and loan crisis of the late 80s resulted in the passage of the FIRREA in 1989, which required the adoption of property appraisal standards in the United States.