I feel like I’ve been robbed. You know how real estate prices have been dropping, the bubble has burst, etc. Apparently the tax assessor missed that memo, our value went up by nearly $30K. Frankly, I’d like to see the rational for it.
If it is the solar systems, then they are supposed to be tax exempt for ten years, according to this New York State real property law. So, I suppose it is time to mosey on down to the town hall and see the tax assessor, find out were all that value has come from. Honestly, the outside of our house looks the same way it has for the last 3 years. I have done very little to make it look better or even good, for that matter.
Popularity: 1% [?]
subscribe
Paul,
We’ve been seeing this as well. Recently we built an Energy Star Certified home for some folks and they just got hit with an assessment that far exceeds the value of the home. The assessor is standing by his valuation saying the house is worth far more being so energy efficient. What’s crazy about that is the market will not justify or bear that kind of assessment.
On a personal note I tried an abatement last year for something that was clearly over valued and lost….just can’t win!
Paul,
I just read about New Mexico passing a law limiting the yearly increase in property taxes to no more than 3% of the previous year or 6.1% of the assessment from two years ago. In addition, the law states that solar systems will not be treated as physical improvements.
Does the New York law have the same language restricting yearly increases or does it only cover solar systems?
Good luck in your battle!
In New York, solar systems qualify for a tax exemption, however, it is a local option, meaning the town can either grant the exemption or not:
http://www.orps.state.ny.us/assessor/manuals/vol4/part1/section4.01/sec487.htm
I may be making some headway with this, basically, my argument is based on installing the solar system to save money, increasing my property tax is off setting the savings I would otherwise be seeing, which means basically I installed the solar system for no good reason. We’ll see how persuasive I am.
Please consider adding me to your blogroll