Retroactive relief for Sandy victims

It was standing room only at the Sandy relief forum held at the Seaford library on Wednesday, December 5.

Weary residents, all Sandy victims from Seaford to Freeport, braved the cold and icy weather to learn how to apply for property tax relief at a forum sponsored by county Legislator David Denenberg. “This program is to help you get a refund for the taxes that you have already paid for the 2012-2013 and 2013-14 tax years based on assessed value,” he said.

A form – Application for Superstorm Sandy Assessment Relief – was distributed to those in attendance. The form includes general information as well as property identification, FEMA ID number if applicable and a section where residents may describe in detail the damage to the property caused by Superstorm Sandy.

“You need to include as much evidence as possible – photographs, estimates for the repair, FEMA’s proof of loss and insurance reports. Show the losses and be gracious to yourself,” said Mr. Denenberg.

Nassau County adopted the state’s “Superstorm Sandy Assessment Relief Act” [Sandy Relief Act] in November which allows homeowners to receive assessment reductions and tax refunds due to property

damage resulting from superstorm Sandy. The Town of Hempstead has also opted in on this program. Homeowners will either receive a refund check for taxes paid for 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 taxes or a credit on taxes yet to be paid.

The money for this program will be paid for through a Community Development Grant and therefore will not come out of taxpayers’ pockets, explained Mr. Denenberg. Homeowners have until January 21 to submit this form. It is available either through Mr. Denenberg’s office at 571-6219, from the Nassau County Department of Assessment at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Assessor/Docs/PDF/Assessment-Relief-Application.pdf or by calling the county assessor’s office 516-571-1500.

Community reacts

Residents said the government had not responded to their request for relief – whether it be for tax relief or assistance in rebuilding.

“My assessed value has gone from $1.3 million down to $750,00 but my taxes are up,” said a woman from Bellmore.

“I’m a disabled veteran; my wife has had bypass surgery. I’ve been down there six times to get my taxes reduced. I brought them pictures of my lot where my house used to be and no one has responded,” he said, referring to his Seaford home.

Another man added, “Can the government really keep it together to do this or is this another publicity stunt?”

How assessment works

“It appears that you paid as if you weren’t effected,” said Mr. Denenberg. “It’s a very confusing process that was made worse by the storm.”

Mr. Denenberg explained that Sandy victims should have filled out two forms for two different challenges – one for casualty loss to the Department of Assessment and a second to the Assessment Review Commission.

According to state law, in any given year if you have a catastrophic event, such as a fire or hurricane, you have the right to challenge your assessment with the Department of Assessment in Nassau County.

When Sandy hit in 2012, “people only had two months to make that challenge before the year ended,” said Mr. Denenberg. The county ended up extending that review period until April of 2013. “5,200 residences applied for catastrophic relief,” said Mr. Denenberg. “But that’s different from the second challenge [that was due in January of 2013] for tax relief which anyone may apply for from the Assessment Review Commission. This is when you normally grieve your taxes based on what you believe is a drop in market value based on looking at comparable sales in your neighborhood.” This challenge is sent to a different department – the Assessment Review Commission.

To make matters more confusing, Nassau County determines your assessment for taxes a year ahead of payment so that in 2011, more than a year before the storm, taxes were finalized for tax year 2012-13. In 2012, also before the storm, taxes were finalized for year 2013-2014. “Therefore you are going to fill out two forms once again,” said Mr. Denenberg. “You will fill out a form to get a refund for years 2012-2013 and 2013-2104 and you will fill out a second form to grieve your taxes moving forward for year 2015-16.”

Another fly in the ointment is “the fact that the county has frozen assessments and we know that anyone living south of Merrick Road has seen a loss in assessment. If you don’t file, you will end up paying for those who have filed. That’s why your taxes may have gone up,” said Mr. Denenberg.

There will be two more forums on applying for tax refunds through the Sandy Relief Act on December 23 at the Merrick Library and on January 16 at the Freeport Library. Both meetings