You only have a few weeks left to file a property tax grievance for the 2023/24 tax year. It’s very important not to miss this deadline, which this year is May 2nd. Here’s why:
If You Miss the Deadline You’ll Have to Live With The County’s Assessment for Another Year
While home valuations are high in Nassau County, so are home ownership costs. According to Attom Data Solutions, 55.3 percent of annualized wages are consumed by the costs of home ownership in Nassau County, with average property tax bills regularly exceeding $12,000. To protect the investment you have in your home, it’s crucial that you ensure that Nassau County’s assessment of your property is up-to-date, error-free, and truly fair. That means filing a grievance to serve as a vital “reality check” on the data the County has on your property. Challenging your assessment is the best way to make sure that you’re not paying more than your fair share of property taxes, and there’s no point in waiting to get this process underway.
Nothing to Lose/Lots to Gain
In New York State and in Nassau County, filing a tax challenge is completely risk-free. The very worst that can happen is that Nassau County won’t offer you a reduction. That’s actually a very big deal: in several other U.S. states (including New Jersey), the decision to grieve is a lot riskier: if your challenge fails, and the local taxing authority determines that your property is worth more than its initial assessment, your assessment can actually increase. That can’t happen in Nassau County – there’s only an upside, and no downside, to filing a property tax grievance. As Maidenbaum’s Mark Miller observed in a recent podcast, the County “is not allowed to raise the assessment merely because you challenged it. Even if you took your case to court and the hearing officer found that you are undervalued, they still can’t raise your assessment. That’s the law in New York State.”
Authorizing Maidenbaum to file your challenge for you is also risk-free. Maidenbaum will only charge you if we succeed in getting you a reduction. Unlike the situation with other tax challenge firms, there are no hidden fees with our service. In the event of a Small Claims Assessment Review proceeding, a $30 court-imposed filing fee will apply. But that’s it.
But Pro Se Filing is Risky
It’s possible to file a grievance on your own (Pro Se) directly with Nassau County, but we don’t recommend it. Why? Because doing so raises the odds that you’ll file a tax challenge that’s defective, incomplete, or ignores details that may have a material impact on your property tax bill, including whether proper comps (comparative sales) have actually been used to properly support your assessment. It’s in your best interest to have a “pro” in your corner familiar with all the hurdles and hassles of the filing process. That’s why Nassau County’s smartest homeowners choose Maidenbaum to file grievances for them. Should your case go as far as a Small Claims Assessment Review proceeding, Maidenbaum will represent you and use its years of experience to help achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Don’t Delay!
Getting your challenge in before the May 2nd deadline is an important step to saving money in the future. Maidenbaum is here to help. We’ve helped thousands of Nassau County homeowners realize millions of dollars in savings, and while we encourage you to file as early as possible, we’re capable of accepting your challenge right up to the deadline date. Choose Maidenbaum to handle your grievance. If you’d like to sign up or simply learn more about how the process works, please contact us today via our website or by phone at 516-336-8622.