2022 Financial New Year's Resolutions

 

We are inching closer to the end of 2021, and it's time to start thinking about resolutions for next year. The New Year is the perfect time to start fresh and tackle new challenges. If you're looking for some resolutions that will help your finances in 2022, here are a few suggestions to get you started.

 

Create a Budget

The sooner you plan out a budget for yourself this new year, the sooner you can ensure you're saving money and spending wisely. This way, you'll be able to keep track of your expenses from the start. Plus, the new year is a perfect time to evaluate your spending practices and see how you can adjust to an appropriate amount.

 

Track Your Spending

There are so many innovations in the world today that make it easy to keep track of your spending throughout the year. And if you start right at the beginning of 2022, it will make it even easier to stay on track for the rest of the year. Consider secure apps or websites to help you out.

 

Set Up An Emergency Fund

When you have an emergency fund available, it gives you one less thing to be stressed about during the year. With this fund, you don't have to worry about money if something unexpected happens. Everyone's financial situation is different, but it can't hurt to have an emergency fund to assist when a rainy day comes.

 

Consider Getting Your Property Taxes Lowered

The new year is full of potential for new beginnings and brand new starts. However, the dread of tax season tends to creep up quickly, with many homeowners still not prepared when it comes around. So, begin this new year the right way by applying for our grievance process! It will be one less stressor to mark off your list, so you can enjoy 2022 to the fullest and save money. 

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

How to Save Money on Holiday Gifts

 

It’s that time of the year when most of your money is spent on getting gifts for loved ones. The holidays tend to be a heavy burden on your wallet, with many expectations and traditions not feeling so forgiving if you’re trying to save money. However, there are plenty of ways to save money on holiday gifts while still enjoying your holidays to the fullest. Here are some tips we have for you!

 

Buy Gifts in Advance

The longer you wait to get all the gifts you need, the more and more expensive it could be. From needing to spend extra on express shipping so that it gets to you before the holidays to missing out on sales, it’s never a good idea to buy too last minute. If it is a little too late, a gift card or cash is always a good alternative.

 

Set a Budget

Whether you’re setting an overall budget or specific budgets for each person you’re planning on getting gifts for, this is a great way to ensure you don’t overspend. Your wallet will thank you in the future when you see how much you saved rather than unnecessarily spending!

Consider Group Gifts

If you’re buying gifts for a family or a group of people, consider putting together an entire gift package with things that they may need in the future. This will help because it’s something useful for everyone and is cheaper than buying individual gifts.

 

Wrap Presents Yourself

Another key to saving money on gifts this holiday season is to wrap presents yourself instead of buying wrapping paper and ribbons at the store. There’s no need to spend a fortune on presentation when it is ripped up and tossed to the side anyway. In fact, it’s helpful to reuse old bags from previous years, use cheaper wrapping paper, and wrap in bulk.

 

Contact us to Save Money After the Holidays

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

What if My Request is Turned Down?

 

Your property taxes go up every single year. So even if your assessment remains unchanged, your taxes increase. But, there is something you can do about this! As a homeowner, you are entitled to file a Property Tax Grievance. A Property Tax Grievance allows your assessment to be reviewed by the Assessor to see if a reduction is warranted. And, in a perfect world, all assessments would be approved. 

But, on the off chance that your request is turned down, here’s what you can do.

 

Assessor Review

As stated above, an assessor will review your request to see if a reduction is warranted for your case. If the Assessor does not reduce your assessment, an appeal can be filed to have an impartial hearing officer determine if your house is overvalued for tax purposes, which is where we come in!

 

Our Process

Once you file with us, you will receive confirmation from P.T.R.C., Inc. that we received your application within the deadline, and you’re eligible to file the grievance application. From there, we will represent you before the Board of Assessment Review (B.A.R.) in Suffolk County or the Assessment Review Commission (A.R.C.) in Nassau County.

Based on the decision rendered by the A.R.C. or B.A.R., P.T.R.C., Inc. will either accept the reduction, or we will proceed to the Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR).

 

What if My Request is Turned Down?

SCAR is the only way to obtain a reduction if denied at the board level. We have proven extremely successful here! A $30 court filing fee is required for SCAR to purchase an index number which guarantees your case to be heard. P.T.R.C., Inc. will buy the index number and complete all necessary paperwork on your behalf. Once your appeal is filed, it is up to the Supreme Court to schedule a hearing (This can take up to several months because of the numerous SCAR appeals being filed). We will appear on your behalf and present all the needed evidence to succeed.

And, in the end, if your request is fully turned down, your property taxes will remain unchanged. There are no penalties, and you can file again next year if you choose.

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

How to Stay Warm For Less

 

'Tis the season to watch the snowfall while cuddled up by the warm fire. Staying warm all winter long is important, but sometimes it can bring a heavy burden on homeowners' wallets. So, when it comes to heating your home the energy-efficient way, we've got some helpful tips to help you save money this season.

 

Warm Up First

Before you decide to reach for your thermostat, try to keep warm the old-fashioned way. From blankets to hot drinks such as tea or hot chocolate, there are plenty of ways to stay comfortable in winter without putting your heater up to 75 degrees.

 

Check Your Appliances

Some people have old appliances that use too much energy for their home's size or age. If you think this might be the case in your home, talk to an electrician about how they can help reduce your utility bills while keeping you warm this winter!

Check Your Heating

Make sure your heating system is in good working order by having it serviced regularly or replaced with a newer model if necessary. This will ensure that there aren't any surprises when temperatures drop this season.

 

Watch Your Lights

We know how easy it is to keep your lights on longer now that the days are shorter, but much energy can be used if you don't turn them off! Turn off the lights in rooms that aren't being used for more than 15 minutes at a time. These small actions will save a lot of energy and lower your heating bill.

Seal Your Home

If your heat is escaping, then that means your HVAC system has to work extra hard to keep you and your family warm. Make sure you're sealing drafts by caulking around windows and doors. Also, make sure your insulation is up-to-date and insulates the heating in your home.

And if you're looking for other ways to save money, consider applying for our grievance process to get your property taxes lowered!

 

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

How to Save Money During the Holiday Season

 

This season is a busy one, and already starting, people across the country are shopping for their friends, family, and home right now. With the hustle and bustle of this whole holiday period, it can feel overwhelming for you and your wallet! Luckily, there are many ways to save on money for the rest of this year. Here's everything you need to know:

 

Buy Gifts Early

Now is the time to start grabbing all those gifts! With Cyber Monday deals and Black Friday sales still lingering, buy presents in advance if possible so that you can take advantage of discounts available right now. Of course, keep in mind that as the holidays get closer that some prices might increase.

 

Create Lists

Start by making a list before shopping for all your gifts to know what you need to buy and how much it will cost. Buy only what's on the list, don't stray from it! You'll end up spending less in the end, and your future self will thank you for it!

 

Set a Budget

It's essential to enter this holiday season with a very clear budget. Keep it realistic, and always keep it in mind! When you stick to your budget, you're less likely to spend extra money on items you don't need. This is also a great way to track how much you have paid by the end of the holiday season.

 

Find New Ways to Save Money

Even if you follow these tips, there might be other areas of your life where you feel you're spending too much. If this is the case, look into these issues and see how you can make changes for the better.

For example, if your property taxes are high, it's time to apply for a property tax grievance!

 

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Thanksgiving Home Checklist

 

Are you feeling stressed about the holiday season? Do you feel like your to-do list is getting out of control? Well, if Thanksgiving home checklist preparation is on your mind, then we're here to help you! There are so many things to think about when preparing for Thanksgiving, and it can be easy to forget some of the basics. Don't worry, though! We've compiled a list of all the must-dos before you host your family at your home this year.

Clean Your Kitchen

Your kitchen will be a hotspot for this holiday, so it's essential that it's organized and ready to be occupied by many people. Remember when you clean up your kitchen to get rid of any leftovers. You want your house to smell fresh when guests arrive, not like Thanksgiving dinner!

Stock up on Food

Make sure you're fully stocked on food! Buy your turkey ahead of time, organize your refrigerator so it will fit all your food, and ask guests to bring their home-cooked meals as well. Not many stores are open on Thanksgiving, and even if they are, it isn't guaranteed that they'll have everything in stock.

 

Go Shopping

Get all the necessities for hosting your company: dish soap, toilet paper, hand soap, sponges, trash bags, etc. This way, you won't have to run out in a panic to find items you ran out of.

 

Safety First

The most important thing you can do this time of year is to ensure that everyone's safety comes first! Make sure all smoke detectors have batteries and are working properly. Also, double-check the electrical outlets in your home and replace any burnt-out bulbs or fuses.

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

How Long is the Grievance Process?

 

When it comes to getting your property taxes reduced, many homeowners are hesitant to start since it seems like a convoluted process. When, in fact, the grievance process is a lot more straightforward than you may realize! Not only that, but when you invest in a trustworthy team, you'll know all the hard parts will be taken care of for you.

But, it's essential to understand the timeline when it comes to the process as a whole. Here's how long you can expect everything to take from when you first apply to when your case is settled:

 

The Starting Point

One of the most important parts about applying for a grievance is that you don't miss your county's designated timelines! Deadlines are put in place every year for both Suffolk and Nassau county, and you can only file once a year. So don't miss them!

 

How Long is the Grievance Process?

From here, your application enters the unrolling grievance process. It can take some time, with some processes taking 18 months from beginning to end. However, regardless of when your case is settled, the results will always be retroactive to the beginning of the tax year for which you filed your property tax grievance. And keep in mind that throughout your process, our team will be in touch about new changes or updates in your case.

 

There's No Risk to You

We only charge for successful cases, so applying for a grievance is at no risk to you! Tax rates generally increase every year, so even if your assessment remains unchanged, your taxes increase. So, when you invest in our team and apply, you are one step closer to feeling a weight lifted from your property taxes burdens.

 

Long Island Homeowners, Get in Touch With us Today to Get Your Property Taxes Lowered!

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com