THE PROCESS
THE TAX GRIEVANCE PROCESS – EASY AS 1, 2, 3
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
SIGN up online or sign and return the paper application to Empire Tax Reductions.
SIT BACK and wait for the good news! Should a reduction in your case be granted, your upcoming tax bills for that tax year will be adjusted down to now reflect your new assessment. Empire will 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 EMPIRE WILL DO
We will send you a confirmation within 7-14 days after receiving your application. This confirmation acknowledges that we will be filing your tax grievance during grievance time (official filing time in your County). Online applications get immediate email confirmations also.
We will represent you and your grievance before the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission (ARC)
We will prepare and file all of the documentation, market analyses and appropriate forms as required.
We will endeavor to obtain a reduction at this level.
ARC has approximately 13 months 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.
Should ARC deny relief in your case, and we feel the case has merit, we have the option of filing an appeal /Small Claims Assessment Review (S.C.A.R.).
S.C.A.R. appeals have proven to be extremely successful. In many instances, it is the only means of obtaining a reduction.
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”.
Should your case merit an appeal, we will request that you remit the $30 filing fee.
We will purchase an index number on your behalf and submit the appropriate forms to all required jurisdictions.
We will prepare a comparable market analysis to be utilized when we appear in court and present your case. You do not need to attend.
Once your appeal is filed, it is up to the Nassau County Supreme Court to schedule your case in front of a Hearing Officer. Rest assured, once an appeal is filed IT WILL BE HEARD. We just need to patiently wait for your (index) number to come up.
Empire Tax Reductions 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.
IMPORTANT ******** SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO SELL YOUR HOME DURING THIS PROCESS ********
Should you decide to sell your home be sure to inform the purchaser that you have a case(s) pending with Empire, notify us immediately and we will pride you with documentation to have buyer take over your contract so that you do not remain liable for any fees due to a reduction. The sale of your home does not void our contract. We can also work directly with your attorney to ensure the documents are properly executed.
