Oswego County Today had the opportunity to ask a few Questions from Kevin Hill, Assessor.
As we wrap up March, some citizens may still have concerns or issues with their tax assessments. Could you please shed some light on what options citizens have if they continue to encounter problems with their tax assessments after March?
Mr Hill’s Response: March 31 was the deadline for property owners to submit an informal review application to GAR Associates. The information submitted will be reviewed, and updated assessment values will be sent at the beginning of May. If a property owner still believes the assessment value is incorrect, they will have the right to file a grievance on or before Tuesday, May 28, with the Board of Assessment Review (BAR). Grievances may be filed regardless of whether a property owner requested an informal review through GAR Associates. If a property disagrees with the decision of the BAR, they can request a Small Claims Assessment Review or SCAR. The City of Oswego Department of Assessment is available to provide assistance with the grievance process.
Furthermore, some members of the public perceive that the city’s motivation behind tax assessments is primarily financial, aimed at generating revenue or making a profit. Could you provide clarification on how the city utilizes the additional income from tax assessments? Additionally, it would be beneficial to understand to what extent the recent tax assessment affected properties with lower assessments than previous assessments.
Mr Hill’s Response: The citywide reassessment project DOES NOT generate any additional revenue for the city. It simply redistributes the property tax liability based on the new assessment values. The only way the city or any other taxing entity (county, school) can generate additional revenue is through the budget process by increasing spending.
A related query is whether the state mandates tax assessments. Could you elaborate on their purpose and how they benefit the city and its residents?
Mr Hill’s Response: Assessments are mandated by NYS to provide the mechanism for distribution of the tax levy, which is the budget less any revenues. Reassessment projects, while not required by NYS, are beneficial as they ensure that property taxes are distributed equitably and each taxpayer only pays their fair share, not too much or too little. This is the primary purpose and benefit of tax assessments for the city and its residents.
This document from NY State addresses some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the reassessment process.
Click to access reassessqa.pdf
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