How it works: Nassau County's assessment grievance system

The tentative roll for the 2020-21 tax year was published Wednesday, and now Nassau County taxpayers can start challenging their assessments.

Taxpayers have until March 1 to file grievances with the county Assessment Review Commission. (A proposal announced Wednesday by majority Republicans on the county Legislature would extend the deadline until April 30, although county officials questioned lawmakers' ability to change the deadline.)

Challenges can be submitted online or on paper. Paper applications must go to the commission's offices in Mineola.

"It’s a very simple process and doesn't take more than five minutes," Robin Laveman, chairwoman of the commission, said Wednesday.

"If you believe your assessed value is too high, compared to the comparables in the area, you have the right to grieve," county Assessor David Moog said.

How it works:

• Residents can file their appeals with the Assessment Review Commission until March 1.
• Online applications can be filed at the county's website, Assessment Review on the Web, at nassaucountyny.gov/arc
• Appeals can be filed on paper with the Assessment Review Commission. Forms are kept at the commission's office or at the county assessor's office, both at 240 Old Country Rd. in Mineola. Application forms also can be downloaded online.
• Residents can provide examples in their application of nearby comparable home sales. Also residents are asked to list the market value at which they think their home should be assessed.
• The commission will have kiosks at its office, where staff will be able to help residents fill out the forms online.

Last year, for the 2019-20 tax roll, the commission received 36,000 appeals from homeowners who represented themselves. About 6,000 were filed on paper and 30,000 were submitted online.

Key dates:

• The Assessment Review Commission will review appeals for the 2020-21 tax year between March 4, 2019, and March 31, 2020.
• The Department of Assessment publishes the final roll on April 1, 2020.
• Property owners then have until April 30, 2020, to file for judicial review of the final assessment. Taxpayers have two options, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. They can file a small-claims assessment review or begin tax certiorari proceedings in state Supreme Court.

By Scott Eidler

scott.eidler@newsday.com@ScottEidler

Scott Eidler is a deputy editor for the towns department at Newsday. Scott has worked at Newsday since 2012 and previously covered municipal government and education.