When taxes need grieving, it's Miller time

Village assessor offers help with property assessment forms

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One thing that Rose Miller notices while at social gatherings in the village is that residents clam up about their property taxes when they learn she is the village assessor. “They can share information with me, but unless I actually saw something, I could never do anything,” said Miller.

Miller really doesn’t want village residents to fear her. She actually is looking to help.

It is almost tax grievance time in the village, and from February 1 – 16, residents will have the opportunity to file a Complaint on Real Property Assessment form, available at village hall, if they believe their taxes are too high.

The form, only four pages long, will be available online and in Miller’s office, and she not only welcomes you to village hall to pick one up, she wants to assist you with it.

“People come here and are intimidated by being here and by the filing process,” said Miller. “But they can make an appointment to meet with me, or talk to me by phone,” she said.

In addition to taking advantage of her help, Miller also stresses that people need to do their homework, and come equipped with the recent selling prices of homes similar to theirs in the area. “People can ask a real estate agent to do a market analysis for them, or they can do the research themselves.” Those who are internet savvy can create their own “comparables” home sales through Nassau County’s online appeal system called AROW — Assessment Review On the Web. The system is available under www.nassaucountyny.gov.

A strong case for a reduction will require three to four comparables that are assessed lower than your home. A strong comparable would be homes with similar square footage, style, and in the same general location as the researcher’s.

Miller, who will be available at village hall until 9 p.m. on February 16 to accommodate late filers, said that last year, roughly one in five people who filed a complaint received a reduction. “In 2015, we had 208 residential complaint applications from individuals and tax reduction companies — about seven percent of the total residential properties in Malverne,” said Miller. “Of those who applied, about 21% received a reduction.

Once Miller receives the completed application and comparables information, it is then presented to the Board of Assessment Review, who will either grant or deny the application. If denied, or if the reduction is less than the property owner thinks is fair, they can then file a petition (forms are available at village hall) with the Small Claims Court Clerk in Mineola. “The Court Clerk schedules the “pro-se” cases to be heard before a hearing officer at a hearing that all parties attend,” said Miller.

Miller is available at 599-1200, extension 108.