Town of Brant New York

Assessors Office

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS OFFICE:

Assessor is local official who estimates the value of real property within the town or village boundaries. This value is converted into an assessment, which is one component in the computation of real property tax bills. The Assessor maintains the municipality assessment roll - the document containing each property assessment. The physical description and value estimate of every parcel is kept current. The property inventory is available for inspection by appointment before the filing of the tentative assessment roll. The assessment roll shows assessments and appropriate exemptions. Every year the roll, with preliminary or tentative assessments, is made available for public inspection. After the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) has acted on assessment complaints and ordered any changes, the tentative assessment roll is made final. Property is assessed at an estimate of market value. Market value is how much a property would sell for, in an open market, under normal conditions.

The Assessor approves and keeps track of property tax exemptions -the most common being Senior Citizen, Star, Veterans, Agricultural, etc. The Assessor also reviews every transfer of real property for accuracy, including the basic information on the buyer, seller, and sale price.

OFFICE LOCATION, HOURS OF OPERATION, PHONE #, STAFF LISTING:

ASSESSOR: Joseph V. DeCarlo

ASSESSOR'S CLERK: Janet Bowman

716-549-4423

Assessor@brantny.com

Mail all correspondence to:

Town of Brant

ATTN: Assessor's Office

1294 Brant North Collins Road (Route 249)

PO Box 228

Brant, NY 14027

Office Hours:

Mon -Tues - Fri l0AM to 2PM

Thursday 12PM to 2 PM

Wednesday: Closed

Also, Night Hours with Assessor present

Mondays 6:30 to 8:30 PM (Except Holidays)

GRIEVANCE PROCESS SUMMARY:

Forms and instructions are available in the Assessor's Office for any person owning property to file a grievance (Click here for the forms and instructions you will need to file a grievance). You may complete the complaint yourself or your representative or attorney may complete it for you. The only assessment that may be reviewed is the assessment on the current tentative assessment roll. As a general rule, a separate complaint should be filed for each separately assessed parcel. The complaint must be filed in the town in which the property is located with the Assessor's office, or to the Board of Assessment review. You may mail or deliver the complaint and it must be received no later than the day the board of assessment review meets to hear complaints. You have the right to attend the hearing and to present statements in support of your complaint. You may appear personally, with or without your attorney or other representative.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

BASIC STAR is available to any property owner in the Town of Brant who is under the age of 65 years of age and the property is their "primary residence". Once a property owner applies of BASIC STAR, they do not need to reapply each year. FORM RP-425 rev (6-07)

ENHANCED STAR is available to property owners over the age of 65 and the property is their "primary residence" and meet a certain income. Owners must reapply each year to re-establish their eligibility. For the initial application form, click here RP-425 rev. (6/07) For the yearly renewal form click here RP-425-Rnw rev (6/07).

PARTIAL TAX EXEMPTION FOR SENIORS. Low Income Senior's are also elligible for Partial Exemption for Real Property of Senior Citizens (and for Enhanced School Tax Relief, Star Exemptions). To apply for this Partial Exemption, low income Senior's are urged to fill out Form RP-467 (07/05). Senior's that do NOT file an income tax return must also fill out Form RP-425-Wkst (1/07)

FIRE FIGHTER EXEMPTION is available to Volunteer Fire Fighters with five or more years as an enrolled member of an incorporated Volunteer Fire Company. It is for the applicant's Primary Residence and can only be used exclusively for residential purposes. Applicants can fill out Form RP-466-c (for Erie County).

FOR A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS, LINK TO NYS REAL PROPERTY'S WEB SITE: http://www.orps.state.ny.us

Who can examine the assessment roll? Anyone can examine the assessment roll at any time, however, between Taxable Status Day and the filing of the tentative roll, it should be done by appointment.

When can a taxpayer talk to the assessor? If a taxpayer feels they are not being fairly assessed, they should meet with their assessor before the tentative roll is established (May 1st) for an informal meeting when the assessor can explain how the assessment was determined. Informal meetings with the Assessor can take place throughout the year.

If a taxpayer files for a grievance and it is denied by the Board of Assessment Review -what recourse does the taxpayer have?? The property owner may appeal to Small Claims Assessment Review 30 days after certification of Final Roll.