The Office of the Assessor is charged by New York State law with maintaining a uniform standard assessment of all real property within the Town of Greece. The Office of the Assessor is regulated by the New York State Real Property Tax Law (RPTL) and the Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPTS).

Goals set forth:

1. Maintain assessments as close to full market value as possible.
2. Maintain property records utilizing state-of-the-art technologies.
3. Work in conjunction with New York State to consistently apply all New York State Property Tax Laws inclusive of assessment procedures, records access, and exemptions.

Functions of the Assessor's Office:

1. Calculate, review and maintain assessment data property inventory, ownership, maps, and exemptions (in Greece this equates to approximately 33,000 parcels).
2. Prepare and maintain the town-wide assessment rolls and follow the assessment process calendar.
3. Provide support to our constituents for the preparation and submission of tax exemptions (Seniors, Veterans, Basic STAR, Enhanced Senior Star, Disability, Business, Clergy, Agricultural and wholly exempt).
4. Review all building permits to determine any impact on the assessed value of property, update property records accordingly and notify property owners of any changes.
5. Provide customer support to our constituents regarding assessment of their property, exemptions and their rights under the New York State Real Property Tax Law.
6. Conduct ongoing reviews of property values including complete valuation updates as needed to maintain assessment at 100% of market value.
7. Review all deed information received from the County of Monroe to update property ownership information and any changes impacting the property's value.
8. Review the basic information regarding the sales of real property for accuracy and any unusual conditions as described on the State Form RP-5217 which is completed at closing.
9. Have information available for sales activity and comparable assessments that may be beneficial in preparing for hearings or grievances .

Your guide to property assessment review in the Town of Greece

In accordance with New York State law, the Town of Greece is required to maintain up-to-date assessment records. To meet the State's guidelines, the Town of Greece conducted a valuation update for assessments in 2006.

How the Valuation Process Works

Cyclical reassessment is the systematic review of town assessments to maintain a uniform percentage of value. This requires the Assessor to analyze and evaluate the market, and change where appropriate. 

For your convenience, the following 2013 Tentative Assessment Roll contains residential properties in the Town of Greece. This will allow you easier access to determine the equity of your assessment to other comparable properties.

To assist in your search, a comparable property is one of the same style of construction as your own. In the "style" column of the listing you will note a number indicating the type of home. To ensure that you are choosing accurate comparables make certain that you choose homes with the same style number as your own.

Comparable Sales Guide

Comparable sales are listed by Neighborhood Code and Style of house. Click here to look up your property and find your Neighborhood Code.

To find comparable sales:

1. Find your Neighborhood Code
2. Find your building style
3. Find the square footage of your home
4. Find the year your home was built
5. Click on this link for the Comparable Sales Guide for your property with sales comparables.

NOTE: Sales listed are as filed with NYS and have not been validates as to arms length criteria.

Building Styles:

2013 Historical Sales Data

View 2013 Tentative Assessment Roll

In addition, the assessment roll is available for review at the Town Assessor's office and Greece Public Library.

The following information has been prepared to help you understand the Valuation Update process.

Why Assess Properties?

In addition to keeping values up to date, a valuation update allows the Assessor to keep pace with property changes and market conditions as well as inequities which may exist in the assessment roll. A properly conducted valuation update will result in each property taxpayer paying their fair share.

Why does the valuation of my property need to be reviewed?

The Town of Greece must perform valuation reviews in accordance with New York State law. The goal is to ensure that every property owner is responsible for their fair share.

Who determines assessments?

The Town Assessor is responsible for assessing all of the properties at a uniform % of current market value. The Assessor bases the assessed value on information obtained through Mass Appraisals conducted on all properties, as determined by market value. 

When and where will I see my new assessment figure?

Whenever your assessed value is changed you will receive a letter from the Town Assessor's office indicating your new assessment. View 2013 Tentative Assessment Roll The new assessment will then be reflected for the first time on your next School Tax Bill and your Town and County Tax Bill.

Does an assessment increase mean my taxes will also be increased?

The assessment process is performed to correct inequities that creep into the assessment roll. When this happens some property owners may be paying more than their fair share in taxes while others are paying less. A town-wide valuation update serves to equalize these inequities. As a result of assessment adjustments, some property owners may notice a change in the overall amount of taxes.

If I believe my assessment is incorrect, how may I challenge it?

A specific grievance process, guided by New York State law, is in place to allow you to challenge your assessment (see below, Challenging Assessments). Helpful information about the review process is available in the Assessor's Office at the Greece Town Hall and on-line at www.tax.ny.gov

Challenging Assessments

All property owners have the right to a review of their property assessment. The process by which assessments may be challenged involves the following three options:

• Informal Hearing:  The Town of Greece will hold informal hearings to provide an opportunity for property owners to discuss their assessment. These hearings take place annually from January through March. Specific dates, times, and locations will be announced. The hearing process will help you understand how your assessment was determined, and may help you in deciding whether to pursue the matter with a formal review. In preparation for an informal hearing click here. (Download Property Review Forms).
• Formal Grievance Process:  For a formal review of your assessment, you will be required to complete and file a Form RP-524. Forms will be available at the Assessor's Office in the Greece Town Hall (and online at www.tax.ny.gov), after May 1st. To be assured of a timely appointment and not adjourned, your application, should be filed three business days prior to Grievance Day the 4th Tuesday of May, however may be submitted up to this date. Your form will be reviewed by the Board of Assessment Review (BAR), an objective body of officers empowered to hear and determine complaints in relation to assessments. The BAR may require you to appear personally. You will be notified by mail of the BAR's decision.
• Small Claims Court:  If you are dissatisfied with the BAR decision, you may request judicial review with a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) hearing officer. A Form RPTL-730 available on-line at www.tax.ny.gov as well as at the Assessor's Office in the Greece Town Hall and the Monroe County Clerk's office (39 W. Main Street, Rochester), must be completed and filed along with a $30 filing fee within 30 days from filed final assessment roll. This filing fee may be recovered under certain circumstances. You will be notified of a hearing date and location. The hearing officer is directed by law to consider the best evidence in each case, and may order reduction in the final assessment or decide that it should remain unchanged.