The Assessor is responsible for fixing the value of real property for tax assessment purposes and for administering the assessment procedures in the town. For further information regarding assessment and/or exemption forms and instructions, please visit the website of the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services:  http://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/default.htm.

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. 

You may be eligible for exemptions, such as STAR and Veteran’s, on your PRIMARY RESIDENCE ONLY. Please visit the ORPTS website or contact my office for more information.

Property Assessment Data is available through both the assessor’s office and the Sullivan County website: http://www.co.sullivan.ny.us. Click on “Departments” and to go to “Real Property Tax Services”. Click on “Property Assessment Data” and follow the prompts.  Tax Maps are also available on that site.

Assessment Roll — Pursuant to RPTL §1590 the 2012 Tentative Assessment Roll can be viewed: Highland 2012 Roll. It is also available at the Sullivan County website: www.co.sullivan.ny.us.

2012 HEARING FACT SHEET

The Board of Assessment Review hearing will be held at the Eldred Town Hall at 4 Proctor Road, Eldred, New York on the FOURTH TUESDAY OF MAY.

1.  Date of hearing for 2012 will be May 22, 2012.

2.  Time of hearing will be from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3.  All complaints must be filed with the assessor prior to the date of the hearing or with the Board

of Assessment Review on the day of the hearing.  All complaints must be filed on the prescribed New York State Form RP-524.  Each parcel must be on a separate form.  The complaint form may be picked up at the assessor's office or online at www.tax.ny.gov/research/property.

4.  The assessor's office is located in the Town Hall in the Town of Highland, Eldred, New York.

The telephone number is 845/557-6563.

5.  The Tentative Assessment Roll will be filed on May 1st each year in the office of the Town Clerk and will be available for inspection by the public until the fourth Tuesday in May (Grievance Day).  The Town Clerk's office will be open Monday through Friday. 

6.  The Uniform Percent of Value is 91.00.

7.  Every taxpayer should examine the Tentative Assessment Roll on file in the offices of the Assessor and Town Clerk to see if the assessment is correct and all exemptions granted are listed correctly.

Please contact us if you need to update your mailing address. If you need to change your address, please fill out  the Change of Address Form and mail it to our office.

Assessor's office:

Town of Highland • Sullivan County, NY

4 Proctor Road
P.O. Box 198
Eldred, NY 12732
ph: 845-557-6563
fax: 845-557-0257

Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. — 4 p.m.
(other times by appointment)

Assessor:

Renée Ozomek
highlandassessors@hvc.rr.com

Assessor Clerk:

Mary Jasper
tohassessorclerk@hvc.rr.com

Data Collectors:

Walter Adamek and Joe Mellan

 

Board of Assessment Review

The Board of Assessment Review consists of not less than three or more than five members appointed by the Town Board. The majority of the members cannot be officers and employees of the town.  The town Assessor may not serve as a Board of Assessment Review member (Real Property Tax Law, Sections 102(3), (4), (523). They are 5-year terms.

Board of Assessment Review Members

       James F. Carney

     John Frank

James Hanson
Fritz Kayser
Claire Sullivan

TAX collector:

Doreen Hanson, 845-557-6085
Town Hall, 4 Proctor Road, Eldred, NY 12732

 

Assessment Calendar - Important Dates In The Year

July 1 — Valuation Date

March 1 — Taxable Status Date

March 1 — Exemption Application Deadline

May 1 — Tentative Roll Filed

4th Tuesday in May — Grievance Day

July 1 — Final Roll Filed

August 1 — Small Claim Petition Deadline

September 1 — School Tax Bills Mailed

January 1 — Town and County Tax Bills Mailed

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

When are tax bills mailed out?

The Town and County tax bills are mailed out January 1st of each year.
School tax bills are mailed out September 1st of each year.

What exemptions are available to property owners?

The Basic Star exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences where the resident owners' and their spouse's income is less than $500,000.

The Enhanced Star exemption is available to owners who are 65 years of age with an adjusted income of $79,050 or less.
The Senior Citizen exemption (Aged) is available to owners who are 65 years of age with a total income of  $23,200 or less.
The Veteran’s exemption and Cold War Veteran’s exemptions are available to owners who served during a war-time period as defined by law.

When is the deadline for filing exemption applications and renewals?

All first time and renewal exemption applications are due by March 1st of each year.

Do I have to file a renewal application for the STAR exemption?

If you are under 65 years of age, you do not have to re-file each year.
If you are over 65 and receiving the Enhanced STAR you do have to file a renewal.

Do I have to file a renewal application for the senior citizen exemption?

Yes.  The applications are mailed out by the assessor's office in December.

Do I have to file a renewal application for the veteran's exemption?

No.  If you have the exemption for disabled veteran and your disability rating changes, please notify the assessor.

How can I determine if my assessment is fair?

You should review the inventory the assessor has on record for your property.
You can review the assessments of similar properties in your neighborhood.
You can review sales of properties in the town and determine the ratio of assessed value to sales price.

Where can I review the information on file for my property?

Assessment information is available in the assessor’s office.

What if I feel that my assessment is unfair?

You should contact the assessor to go over your assessment.  Do this as soon as you receive a Change of Assessment  notice.

What if the assessor does not agree with me?

You can file a Grievance application to be reviewed by the Board of Assessment Review.
Grievance Day is held the fourth Tuesday of May.

What if the Board of Assessment Review does not make a change?

You can file a Small Claims Application with the County Clerk.  You would then meet
with a Hearing Officer to present your argument to have your assessment reduced.

How are assessments determined?

Assessments are a percentage of Market Value of your property as of July 1st of each year. 

What is market value?

The Market Value is the price a knowledgeable buyer would pay for a particular property, assuming neither party is under duress or forced to sell.

At what level is the Town of Highland assessing?

The Uniform Percent of Value is 91%.

What is the equalization rate?

It is the average ratio of assessed value to sales price of properties sold in the town each year.

How does the equalization rate affect my taxes?

The equalization rate determines the share of school and county taxes that residents pay.