Can my assessment be raised through this process?
SUFFOLK
No, the only way your assessment can increase is if you do work to the home that would require a building permit or if the town is going to do a re-assessment of the entire town.
NASSAU
Nassau County re-assesses every year, but they cannot raise your assessment simply because you file a grievance.
What is TRS’s fee?
SUFFOLK
Our fee is 50% of the savings for the year filed. We also ask to be reimbursed for the $30 court filing fee and the $50 appraisal fee. If there is no reduction, you pay TRS nothing.
NASSAU
Our fee is 50% of the savings for the year filed. We also ask to be reimbursed for the $30 court filing fee. If there is no reduction, you pay TRS nothing.
Who is authorized to hire TRS?
Any homeowner whose name is on the deed can sign our contract. Additionally, executors of the estate or someone with power of attorney can authorize TRS to file. If you are in contract to buy a home, you may also hire TRS.
How often can I file a grievance?
You can file a grievance each year. However, if you are successful at the SCAR level and a reduction is granted, you cannot file another SCAR petition for the following year, with the exception of municipalities that file every year, which includes Nassau County, Shelter Island and Southampton, in which case you’re eligible to file every year.
When is the filing period?
NASSAU
January 1st – March 1st **Extended to May 2, 2022**
SUFFOLK
May 1st – 3rd Tuesday in May
January 1st – March 1st **Extended to May 2, 2022**
SUFFOLK
May 1st – 3rd Tuesday in May
How does the grievance process work?
SUFFOLK
According to the real property tax law the assessor is responsible for establishing a value of every property on the tax roll. In order to reduce your property taxes, TRS must establish that the value of your property is less than the assessor’s value.
The initial grievance is filed with the town, which is normally denied and the next step is to file the SCAR (Small Claims Assessment Review) appeal with the county. The county will assign your case a hearing date which TRS will attend on your behalf.
Click here for an interactive flowchart which explains the TRS grievance process.
NASSAU
According to the real property tax law the assessor is responsible for establishing a value of every property on the tax roll. In order to reduce your property taxes, TRS must establish that the value of your property is less than the assessor’s value.
The grievance is filed 18 months in advance of the tax bill with the Assessment Review Commission. ARC will review the grievance and render a decision before April 1st of the following year. If they grant a reduction, you would see it reflected in the following October school tax bill and the January general tax bill.
If they do not grant a reduction, we can file a SCAR (Small Claims Assessment Review) appeal with Nassau County. The county will assign your case a hearing date which TRS will attend on your behalf.
Click here for an interactive flowchart which explains the TRS grievance process.
How long does the process take?
The process can take anywhere from 18 to 24 months from start to finish. This is simply due to the backlog in the courts and the number of cases that are filed every year. Once you file a grievance, you are locked into that filing year, so if there is a reduction, it will be retroactive to the year filed.
Will I get any over-paid taxes back?
NASSAU
Since we have to file so far in advance of the first tax bill to be affected, Nassau County has enough time to correct their assessment rolls. Therefore, your tax bill would be issued at the lowered assessment we are able to obtain for you.
SUFFOLK
The grievance is filed in May to affect the tax bill issued that December. The tax bill covers the period from December 1st through November 30th. If the entire tax bill is over-paid by the time a reduction in assessment is granted, a refund will be issued back from the Suffolk County Treasurer’s office.
What information does TRS need from me?
NASSAU
The only thing we need to start the process is our retainer agreement, signed and returned. Once we receive this we will send you a one page property information sheet to fill out and send back to us. If the home was recently purchased, we ask that you send a copy of the closing statement.
SUFFOLK
The only thing we need to start the process is our retainer agreement, signed and returned. Once we receive this we will send you a one page property information sheet to fill out and send back to us. If the home was recently purchased, we ask that you send a copy of the appraisal and closing statement. If we can use the appraisal in court, TRS’s $50 appraisal fee will be waived.
Can I hire more than one company to represent me?
Hiring more than one company for the same tax year will result in additional delays with your case, and you will be billed by each company.
Does anyone from TRS or the town come to my home?
No one from TRS or the county will come to your home because you filed a grievance. We will get the inventory on the home from the information sheet we ask you to fill out for us and either the county or town will use their property record card that they have on file, whether you live in Nassau or Suffolk County.
I own several homes. Can I file on all of them?
NASSAU
The initial grievance process is open to all properties. If the homes are rental properties or otherwise considered non-owner occupied, grievances can be filed with the county. If no reduction is granted, they cannot go through the SCAR appeal process per New York State law. A Small Claims Assessment Review appeal is only open to owner occupied 1, 2 or 3 family residences.
SUFFOLK
The initial grievance process is open to all properties. If the homes are rental properties or otherwise considered non-owner occupied, grievances can be filed with the town. If no reduction is granted, they cannot go through the SCAR appeal process per New York State law. A Small Claims Assessment Review appeal is only open to owner occupied 1, 2 or 3 family residences.
Does TRS handle filing my exemptions?
We do not handle any exemptions. You should give your assessor’s office a call to see what exemptions you may be eligible for.
Does TRS automatically re-file for me every year?
No, we cannot re-file without your signed authorization. You must sign a new contract for each year that you want TRS to file a grievance for you.
Can I grieve taxes I have already paid?
Unfortunately, you may only grieve the current year’s assessment, and only during your county’s grievance period: Nassau – January 2nd to March 1st., Suffolk – May 1st until the third Tuesday in May.