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OUR PROCESS

Friedman Tax Reduction has been helping countless homeowners lower their property taxes successfully. As your agent, we handle the entire process of facilitating your property tax refund and reduction. 

We perform an appraisal, handle all communications with assessor and clerk of the board, track and audit your tax refund and present your case to Assessment Appeals Board at the hearing whenever needed. 

Phase 1: Valuation of Property and Potential Property Tax Savings 

We will collect information from you for the valuation process. This information can include last year's tax history. We take pictures of the house and property. If bought in the last year you can provide us with an appraisal or we will preform one for you. 

Phase 2: Appeal of Assessment 

We will file all the necessary paperwork on your behalf and data for the opinion of value reduction to the appropriate assessor's office. Then we will start the tracking of the process as well as negotiate directly with the assessor to expedite the process. 


Phase 3: Formal Appeals Hearing

We will represent you on your behalf against the assessor. If need be we will make presentation at formal hearing at the county assessment appeals board.

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED.

WHY FILE A TAX GRIEVANCE?

HERE'S WHY:

Throughout much of the country home values have decreased yet property taxes have not. Property taxes are rising and delayed appraisals on properties keep property taxes high. You can appeal and reduce your property taxes by lowering your home assessment. 

 

Be sure of your tax liability before the annual deadline to adjust your assessment.   Allow the qualified experts in assessment challenges to help you.

 

The New York State Real Property Tax Law (Section 730) allows homeowners to reduce their Property Tax Assessment a maximum of 25% per year if their equalized value exceeds $450,000 or an even greater savings amount if it is less than $450,000. 


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me (516) 776-4744.

WHY FILE A TAX GRIEVANCE?

HERE'S WHY:

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY PROPERTY TAXES ARE TOO HIGH?

Sign up and our staff will evaluate your case and tell you if you are paying too much. Just call us today: (516) 776-4744.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START THE GREIVANCE PROCESS?

Right now! We will be ready to file your grievance on Grievance Day, which comes only once a year, on the 3rd Tuesday in May (Suffolk) and on March 1st (Nassau). If the date is missed, you have to wait until the next year. Call us: 516.776.4744

HOW ARE PROPERTY TAXES DETERMINED

Taxes are determined by multiplying your assessment by the various tax rates associated with the tax districts your property is located in, such as county, town, school, etc. Taxes go up as the tax rates go up. We can't do anything about the tax rates but we can protest the assessment. If the assessment is lowered, then the resulting taxes will be lower than they would have been at the higher assessment.

WHAT IF I HAVE TAX EXEMPTIONS?

Any reduction will be in addition to any exemptions you already have. Your existing exemptions and future eligibility will be unaffected.

WHAT IS A TAX GRIEVANCE?

A tax grievance is the legal process for getting property taxes reduced. A complaint, or grievance, is filed against a town’s assessment of a piece of property. If the grievance is denied, that decision can be appealed by filing a petition in New York State Supreme Court.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

NO REDUCTION = NO FEE

If your assessment is not reduced, you pay nothing. If your assessment is reduced, you pay 50% of the first year's savings, plus the $30 filing fee and the $75 appraisal fee. After that, every year, all the tax savings from your reduced assessment are yours.

WHY SHOULD I USE FRIEDMAN TAX REDUCTION?

YOUR TAXES CAN NOT GO UP BECAUSE YOU FILE A GRIEVANCE

The Friedman Tax Reduction Team is an experienced and respected company in the field, with a success rate of over 98%. We do not charge any upfront fees; no fee is due unless your tax assessment is reduced. Tax reduction is our business and our office is open year round to serve you.

WHAT SERVICES CAN I EXPECT FROM FRIEDMAN TAX REDUCTION?

  • Valuation of property

  • Analyze potential tax savings

  • File paper

  • File for Appeal of assessment (SCAR)

  • Negotiate a lower property value with town assessor

  • If needed, represent you at a formal hearing at the county assessment appeals board.

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT?

Your assessment is the town's determination of your property' value, or a fraction of that value. The amount you pay in taxes is based on your assessment - the higher your assessment, the higher your taxes. Some assessments are fractional, at something less than 100%, making it hard to determine what value is assigned to your property for tax purposes. For example, your assessment may be $2000 - if the assessor is assessing at 2% and your property is worth $100,000.

HOW LONG DOES THE GREIVANCE PROCESS TAKE?

The whole process usually takes about a year. If the town reviews your case early in the process, your savings will be reflected on your December tax bill. If the town doesn't get to your case until after December, once a reduction is granted, it will be retroactive to the tax year in which the grievance was filed and you will get a refund for any overpayment of taxes.

IS IT OKAY TO SIGN UP WITH MORE THAN ONE GREIVANCE COMPANY?

No. If you sign with more than one company, you will delay your case and, if a reduction is granted, end up having to pay each company.

I GOT A REDUCTION SOME YEARS AGO, SHOULD I APPLY AGAIN?

Yes. Because real estate values have decreased in the past few years, many homeowners who reduced their property taxes in the past are now entitled again.

WHAT AM I AGREEING TO WHEN I APPLY?

1- Eligibility: 1. A person named in the records of the Suffolk County Clerk as a homeowner; or 2. That person's authorized agent; or 3. A person who has contracted to buy a home; or 4. The estate of a deceased homeowner, is eligible under law to receive a tax assessment reduction and a property tax refund. If you are not in any of these categories you will not be able to receive a property tax refund and you should not sign this agreement. If you are in one of these categories you may sign this agreement. 

2- Service to be performed: Note that you are not required by law to use a tax reduction service in order to file for and/or receive a tax assessment reduction. By signing this agreement, however, you are directing F.R.E.T.R. representative to prepare and file your First Level Complaint for review by the Board of Assessment Review, to represent you at any Appeal proceeding which includes the preparation and filing of the Appeal Petition and to physically appear on your behalf at your Appeal Hearing with the court appointed hearing officer and the Assessor's representative. F.R.E.T.R. representative will negotiate any refund check from the Suffolk County Treasurer, minus any fees due and the balance forwarded to you within 30 days from our receipt. 

3-Notification of Tax Reduction: F.R.E.T.R. representative will make every reasonable effort to communicate the terms of any other offer of settlement made by Suffolk County in the course of the tax assessment review proceeding as required by law. I fully authorize F.R.E.T.R. representative to negotiate a settlement for me. 

4- Fee for Service: I agree to pay a fee equal to 50% of the reduction on my property taxes, payable within 30 days of the notification of the tax reduction, and to pay such fee in the event I sell or move out of the subject property. If I default on said payment, I agree to pay 1% interest per month after 30 days and if needed, reasonable collection fees incurred by F.R.E.T.R. representative. A $30 court-filing fee may apply. I also agree to pay a $75 appraisal fee, or supply a certified appraisal (issued within 1 year) with my application. No other fees or charges. At anytime, within three (3) days after entering into this contract, I have the complete right to cancel this agreement by written notice to F.R.E.T.R. representative.

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