Judy M. Tafelski, SCAAssessor
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Office HoursMonday - Friday |
Goals
Our goal is to provide the taxpayers of the Town of Tonawanda a fair and equitable assessment on their properties and maintain an equitable roll for tax purposes.
Objectives
Tentative Assessment Roll
Each year the Tentative Assessment Roll is completed and filed for public inspection on May 1. This document contains property descriptions, ownership, valuations and any exemptions that have been granted as of March 1, the taxable status date. Please refer to our Assessment and Tax Collection Calendar and our Tax Rate Schedule.
Final Assessment Roll
The Final Assessment Roll is filed each year by July 1 and is the basis for the school tax due in October and the town and county tax due in February of the following year.
Requesting an Assessment Review
Informal Process done for 2019. See Below for Board of Assessment Review Information
A property owner may request an informal review of their assessment between February 1 and April 1 of each year. Depending on the type of property in question, i.e. residential or commercial, the appropriate application will need to be completed. For information on how to challenge your assessment and determine market value, please view pdf Challenging your Assessment - Points to Keep in Mind
Board of Assessment Review
If a property owner is dissatisfied with the result of this review, they may appeal to the Board of Assessment Review on Grievance Day, which is the forth Tuesday in May each year. To file an appeal, a complaint (NYS form RP-524) must be completed and filed with the assessor's office. Complaint forms are available in the assessor's office and also available online at the Tonawanda Real Property System.
If a hearing before the Board is requested, the assessor's office will schedule an appointment. Grievance Day hearings are held in Room 21 of the Municipal Building, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. If a hearing is not requested, the Board will make a determination based solely on the written complaint.
Please review the STAR Eligibility PDF Chart by clicking here, to determine whether you qualify for STAR Exemption.
A property owner may request an informal review of their assessment between February 1 and April 1 of each year. Depending on the type of property in question, i.e. residential or commercial, the appropriate application will need to be completed.
Click here for information on how to challenge your assessment and determine market value.
Complete form (RPTL 730) and follow instructions below.
Small Claims Assessment Review-SCAR
If you are dissatisfied with the decision made by the Town of Tonawanda Board of Assessment review, the Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) provides a way to seek further review of your assessment. This program is administered by OCA, New York State Office of Court Administration, for use in seeking assessment reductions for qualified properties before a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) hearing officer.
How to File a Petition for Small Claims Assessment Review
If you plan to appeal the decision, you must file a Petition for Small Claims Assessment Review by completing form (
pdf
RPTL-730
).
How to File a Petition for Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR)
You can challenge your property assessment in SCAR if you meet both of the following provisions:
Filing Fee is $30.00- which may be refundable if you prevail in your claim. Prepare at least 8 copies of the petition; Remember to keep a copy for your records:
Petitions must be filed no later than July 30th. Original and payment goes to Erie County Clerk’s Office listed above.
The court will assign your petition to a hearing officer who will advise you of the hearing date, time and location.
Here is a brief video detailing tax exemptions.
In the Town of Tonawanda and Kenmore the following tax exemptions are available to qualified residents:
Though all property in the Town of Tonawanda and the Village of Kenmore is assessed, not all of it is taxable. Some properties, such as those owned by religious organizations or governments are completely exempt from paying property taxes.
All owner occupied houses are eligible for the STAR exemption. For more details, check out NY's STAR Resource Center
There are two different property tax exemptions available to veterans who have served in the U. S. Armed Forces, including veterans who have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
Obtaining a veterans' exemption is not automatic. If you are an eligible veteran, you must submit the initial exemption application form to your assessor by the March 1st deadline. Please confirm the date with your assessor.
Whichever exemption a veteran chooses, it will apply only to to county, city, town, and village taxes; it does not apply to school district and special district taxes. You can only receive one of the two exemptions listed below.
pdf
General Information Sheet Attachment 1
Commercial & Vacant Land Challenges
Numbers 2 & 3 are not mandatory, but if completed it will assist the board in evaluating your property.
pdf
General Information Sheet Attachment 1
Residential Challenges
Number 2 is not mandatory, but if completed will assist the board in evaluating your property.
Information on How to Challenge Assessments
General Information
Video - contesting your property assessment in New York
Link to Grievance Booklet (pdf)
Tonawanda Important Dates for 2019/20 Tax Collection
Tax Collection |
Collected For |
Due Date |
Last Payment Date |
County / Town Tax | January 1 - December 31 | February 15 | June 30 |
School Tax (Ken-Ton and Sweet Home) |
July 1 - June 30 | October 16 | November 30 |
Village Tax | June 1 - May 31 | July 3 | November 1 |
Penalty Rates
County / Town Tax |
School Tax |
Village Tax |
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Date |
Penalty Rate |
Date |
Penalty Rate |
Date |
Penalty Rate |
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February 19-March 2 |
1.5% |
October 15-31 |
7.5% |
July 1-31 |
7.5% |
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March 3-16 |
3% |
November 1-30 |
9% |
Each month after |
Add 1.5% |
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Mar. 17-March 31 |
4.5% |
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April 1-15 |
6% |
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April 16- April 30 |
7.5% |
Other Important Dates
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For More Information
If you have any questions, please contact the Assessor's Office at (716) 877-8811.