Assessor

• Board of Assessment Review

Michael Maxwell,  Assessor   mmaxwell@townofskaneateles.com

Aimie Case,  Assessor Clerk  acase@townofskaneateles.com 

Telephone  315-685-0745

Fax  315-685-5449

As your Assessor I am dedicated to maintaining a fair and equitable assessment roll each year. I welcome anyone who may have a question to call and make an appointment to meet with me so I may have the opportunity to meet you and also to hopefully answer your questions. The main purpose of the Assessor’s Office is to provide a service to our customers, who are the taxpayers of the municipality. Maintaining a fair and equitable assessment roll is a very important part of this service.

This office also administers some of the property tax exemptions and their renewals. Many of these exemptions need to be applied for each year and must be filed in this office no later than March 1st. Forms are available here in the Assessor’s Office and online at https://www.tax.ny.gov/forms/orpts/exemption.htm

*Please submit any Address Change forms to the Assessor

~ Grievance Day is May 28, 2024 ~

The following are dates the Assessor will be sitting with the 2024 Roll. 

      If you would like to speak to the Assessor regarding your assessment, please call 315-685-0745 to make an appointment during one of these times. Walk-ins will be seen on a first come, first serve basis between appointments.  

2024 Grievance Procedures 

Tentative Roll Date - May 1st is the date in which the Assessor has completed the tax roll for that given year.  Review your assessment to ascertain if it is a FAIR MARKET VALUE of your property.  If you do not agree with the value placed on your property by the Assessor, you may make an appointment to have an informal review of your assessment with the assessor prior to Grievance Day.  If you are dissatisfied with the results of your informal review, you may file a formal complaint on or before Grievance Day.  Form RP-524 (3/09) is available in the Assessor's Office and online at https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp524_fill_in.pdf

The Assessor’s Office mails out reassessment notices the last week of April. You will only receive a notice if there has been a change in your assessment.

Options to Contest Your Assessment 

• Speak to Assessor while he sits with the Roll (in-person or by phone)
• Present case to Board of Assessment Review at Grievance, May 28th 4pm-8pm*
• Mail/Submit Form RP-524 to Board of Assessment Review BEFORE 8pm 5/28/2024

Click for guidance on how to Contest Your Assessment 

*May 28, 2024

4:00pm - 8:00pm Grievance with Board of Assessment Review

• All required documents MUST be submitted by 8:00pm to be eligible for review
• Make an appointment to be heard as efficiently as possible
• Walk-in's welcome, will be seen between appointments on a first come, first serve basis
• RP-524 must be completed and filed with the Board, click for Online Fillable Grievance Form
• You do not have to be present to have your application reviewed by the Board
• The determination of the Board will not be made at Grievance, you will receive a notice via mail at a later date

Key Numbers 

• Taxable Status Date: March 1
• Valuation Date: July 1
• Tentative Roll: May 1
• Grievance Day: 4th Tuesday in May (5/28/2024)
• Last Revaluation: 2009
• Number of Parcels: Village 1241 & Town (outside Village) 3058
• Equalization Rate:  58% (Uniform level of Assessment)

Exemption Renewal Information

• Exemption forms are due by March 1, 2024
• Renewal forms for local exemptions were mailed to those currently enrolled the last week of November 2023
• Residents currently enrolled in the Enhanced STAR program are NOT required to submit additional documents to renew their status unless contacted directly by the State of New York.
• Below you will find a list of the forms accepted here in the Assessor's Office.

*Click for STAR Credit Delivery Schedule*

*Click for Property Tax Credit Lookup* 

*New STAR Applicants* (Basic and Enhanced) need to register with the New York State Tax Department to receive a STAR Credit check.  Visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/ or call (518) 457-2036.

 IMPORTANT 2019 CHANGES TO EXEMPTIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 65 AND OVER....CLICK LINK BELOW:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYTAX/bulletins/2066c31

Exemption Forms:

• Alternative Veterans - RP 458-A 2 page Application for Alternative Veterans Exemption from Real Property Service.
• Senior Citizen Exemption / Renewal - RP 467 & RP 467-RNW Applications for Partial Tax Exemption of Senior Citizens.  This is a local exemption different from the State's STAR program with income limitations of no more than $58,399.99/year for the household.
• Disabled Persons with limited income - RP 459-C 2 pages Application for Partial Tax Exemption of the Real Property of persons with disabilities and limited income.
• Clergy Exemption - RP 460 Application for Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property of members of Clergy.
• Agricultural Exemptions - RP 305 9 page Application for agricultural land exemption. RP483 2 page Application for agricultural and horticultural building and structures.
• Commercial, Business or Industrial Exemptions - RP 485-B 2 page Application for Tax Exemption for Commercial, Business or Industrial Real Property. RP 412-A 2 page Application for Industrial Development Agencies.
• Non-Profit Organization - Application for Real Property Tax Exemption for non-profit Organization. Check with Assessor’s office for correct form.
• Volunteer Firefighters/Ambulance Workers - RP466-A-vol 2 page Application for Volunteer Firefighters/Volunteer Ambulance Workers Exemption (For Use in Onondaga County Only), cannot be used in conjunction with an income tax exemption. 
• Income Verification Program - RP 425-IVP 1 page option for Enhanced STAR.
• New STAR applicants (Basic and Enhanced) need to register with the New York State Tax Department to receive a STAR Credit check.  Visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/ or call (518) 457-2036.

Important Links

• Online Fillable Grievance Form
• Contesting Your Assessment in NYS
• New York State Office of Real Property Services
• Onondaga County Office of Real Property Tax Services
• Onondaga County GIS
• Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District

2018 Real Property Tax Exemption Report of Examination - New York State Comptroller...click here