Property Assessors Offices - New York Laws and Regulations

Learn about the laws and regulations governing property assessors offices in New York
By Emmet McMahan 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.
   

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

• 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.