What Does Filing a Grievance Mean?

Understanding Before Filing a Grievance

A tax grievance is when a homeowner is disputing a claim that an assessor has made. When it comes to taxes and defining assessments, there is a lot that many do not know or understand. When it comes to a tax bill, the word assessment confuses people to where they can make mistakes if they are not working with a professional because there are several different terms that come with that one word.

Why are assessments being mentioned when trying to file for grievances? Because understanding your financial assets, how they work for you and what you need to understand if you need to shift your perspective.

This can create significant confusion when determining what is needed and what is expected. Estimates can be made, but they can also be disputed without any trouble. Several issues can arise sometimes and the moves that are made by assessors can lag when dealing with the real estate market. Also, when filing for a grievance be sure to understand how your tax bracket comes into play.

Here is what you need to understand when filing for a grievance; what it means and how to do it.

Beginning the process

At the first tier of filing for a grievance, a complaint is filed with the local assessment department in your state. This is called an “administrative review”. This means that the homeowner is making a complaint about the assessment being at a higher value percentage on the market value spectrum than what is allowed by the law.

The assessor of the property will then review the evidence that has been provided by the homeowner, which could later result in a in-person negotiation meeting before a proper decision can be made.

Upon the second tier of filing for a grievance will be if the assessor’s has made a decision resulting in unsatisfactory evidence presented, the homeowner can file a petition with the Small Claims Court for a review of the decision. This is considered a lawsuit against the assessment determined and will require a small fee in order to be heard by the Small Claims Court.

The assessor and the homeowner will provide reasonable proof about the decision made and the courts will review the evidence and make the final decision. Once this step is complete, a grievance has been filed and a permanent decision has been made by the courts.

Keep in mind, May 15th, 2018 is the deadline to file a grievance in Suffolk county.

P.T.R.C. Inc. specializes in long island residential property tax reductions.  Since 1990, P.T.R.C. Inc. has successfully handled over 260,000 assessment challenges.  We have secured millions of dollars in reductions and refunds for our clients.  We aim to be the best in the business!

Let P.T.R.C. Inc. Help Lower Your Property Taxes!

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