THE TAX GRIEVANCE PROCESS – EASY AS 1, 2, 3

What You will Need to Do:

Step 1: Call Wemett & Hall to (1-518-213-9262) to learn more about the tax grievance process. It only takes a 5 minute call for us to estimate your property tax savings. We typically begin preparing your case the same day that you call!

Step 2: Relax While we Prepare Your Case: We handle all of the paperwork, documentation, research and negotiation.

Step 3: Enjoy the Savings: When a reduction in your case is granted, your upcoming tax bills for that tax year will be adjusted down to now reflect your new assessment.  We bill you for services rendered only after the tax rates for that tax year have been published by your town and we can determine the exact amount of your savings.

What Wemett & Hall Will Do:

1. We will send you a confirmation within 24 hours days after we have finished your application.  This confirmation acknowledges that we will be filing your tax grievance during grievance time (official filing time in your County).
2. We will represent you and your grievance for the Board of Assessment Review (B.A.R.).
   1. We will prepare and file all of the documentation, market analyses and appropriate forms.
   2. We will appear before the board as needed.
   3. The B.A.R. may request copies of various documents that they will use to review your case such as fire policy, copy of deed, etc. It is important that we try to comply with the boards’ requests to the best of our ability and in a timely fashion. We will notify you if your board asks for any documents and ask that you send them to us as quickly as possible.
   4. You are NOT required to submit to an inspection of your home even if “requested” by the B.A.R. or the Assessor. The practice of demanding an interior inspection of your home was found to be unconstitutional and against your 4th Amendment rights.
   5. The B.A.R. has 1 month to review your grievance and render a decision. They will either reduce your assessment or deny relief. Remember – your assessment cannot be increased because you filed a grievance.
3. We have the option of filing an appeal or Small Claims Assessment Review (S.C.A.R.) if your case is denied or if you received a reduction but your case warrants a further reduction.
   1. S.C.A.R. appeals have proven to be extremely successful. In many instances, it is the only means of obtaining a reduction.
   2. There is a Court-imposed Filing Fee of $30 required for S.C.A.R. The $30 fee enables the purchase of an index number and guarantees that your case will have its “day in court”.
   3. We will purchase an index number on your behalf and submit the appropriate forms with required jurisdictions (i.e., Town Assessor, School Board, Town Clerk, County Finance Dept, etc.).
   4. We will prepare a comparable market analysis to be used in negotiations with your local assessor and/or presented in court.
   5. We will appear in court as required and present your case.
   6. Once your appeal is filed, it is up to your local Supreme Court as to when your case is scheduled for a hearing in front of a Hearing Officer.
4. Wemett & Hall is committed to making this process pain-free and productive for each of our customers and we encourage you to call us if you have questions.