Real Property and GIS

1. Contact your local assessor first and discuss your concerns.
2. You may review comparable properties and their assessment in your area by looking at the Tax Rate Comparison page and reviewing properties at the Interactive County Parcel Map. This may help you determine if your assessment, based on surrounding properties, are justified.
   

Contact your local assessor for information and applications.

The assessor names and phone numbers can be found on the Cattaraugus County Assessors page.

The assessor is continually communicating with the public, answering questions, and dealing with concerns raised by taxpayers. Anyone can examine the assessment roll and property records at any time. However, between Taxable Status Day and the filing of the tentative roll, it should be done by appointment.

The assessor performs many other administrative functions, such as inspecting new construction and major improvements to existing structures. This ensures that the record of each property's physical inventory is current and that the appropriate improvements are assessed.

The assessor also approves and keeps track of property tax exemptions. Among the most common are the senior citizen, School Tax Relief (STAR), veterans, agricultural, and business exemptions.

The New York State Assessors' Association pamphlet, "Understanding Assessments and Property Taxes", states:

The Assessor has a right to go into your front door and seek admittance (Possibly he or she will only want to inspect the exterior of the house) but must leave the premises if asked to do so.