Town of Westford, New York

(607)638-5165

Pam Dyn-Gohde, Assessor   (607)547-5068 pamdyn@yahoo.com.                                                           

Assessor Dyn-Gohde will hold regular office hours at the Westford Town Hall on Monday evenings from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. She is also available by phone after 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, or call for appointment.

 

The Assessor is responsible for fixing the value of real property for tax assessment purposes and for administering the assessment procedures in the town. For further information regarding assessment and/or exemption forms and instructions, please visit the website of the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services:  http://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/default.htm.

 

You may be eligible for exemptions, such as STAR and Veteran?s, on your PRIMARY RESIDENCE ONLY. Please visit the ORPTS website or contact the assessor for more information.

Property Assessment Data is available through both the assessor?s office and the Otsego County Real Property Tax Office.  Visit the County's Real Property Tax Website.

Click Here to go to the Otsego County Real Property Tax Dept's Current Year Tax Assessment Rolls.

July 1 — Valuation Date

March 1 — Taxable Status Date

March 1 — Exemption Application Deadline

May 1 — Tentative Roll Filed

May 24,

2017  — Grievance Day (4p.m. - 8p.m.)

July 1 — Final Roll Filed

August 1 — Small Claim Petition Deadline

September 1 — School Tax Bills Mailed

January 1 — Town and County Tax Bills Mailed

When are tax bills mailed out?.

The Town and County tax bills are mailed out January 1st of each year.
School tax bills are mailed out September 1st of each year

What exemptions are available to property owners?

The Basic Star exemption is available for owner-occupied, primary residences where the resident owners' and their spouse's income is less than $500,000.

The Enhanced Star exemption is available to owners who are 65 years of age with an adjusted income of $83,300.00 or less.
The Senior Citizen exemption (Aged) is available to owners who are 65 years of age with a total annual income of  $16,00.00 or less.
The Veteran’s exemption and Cold War Veteran’s exemptions are available to owners who served during a war-time period as defined by law.

When is the deadline for filing exemption applications and renewals?

All first time and renewal exemption applications are due by March 1st of each year.

Do I have to file a renewal application for the STAR exemption?

If you are under 65 years of age, you do not have to re-file each year.
If you are over 65 and receiving the Enhanced STAR you do have to file a renewal.

Do I have to file a renewal application for the senior citizen exemption?

Yes.  The applications are mailed out by the assessor's office in December.

Do I have to file a renewal application for the veteran's exemption?

No.  If you have the exemption for disabled veteran and your disability rating changes, please notify the assessor.

How can I determine if my assessment is fair?

You should review the inventory the assessor has on record for your property.
You can review the assessments of similar properties in your neighborhood.
You can review sales of properties in the town and determine the ratio of assessed value to sales price.

Where can I review the information on file for my property?

Assessment information is available in the assessor’s office.

What if I feel that my assessment is unfair?

You should contact the assessor to go over your assessment.  Do this as soon as you receive a Change of Assessment  notice.

What if the assessor does not agree with me?

You can file a Grievance application to be reviewed by the Board of Assessment Review.
Grievance Day is held the fourth Wednesday of May.

What if the Board of Assessment Review does not make a change?

You can file a Small Claims Application with the County Clerk.  You would then meet
with a Hearing Officer to present your argument to have your assessment reduced.

How are assessments determined?

Assessments are a percentage of Market Value of your property as of July 1st of each year. 

What is market value?

The Market Value is the price a knowledgeable buyer would pay for a particular property, assuming neither party is under duress or forced to sell.

At what level is the Town of Westord assessing?

The Uniform Percent of Value is 100%.

What is the equalization rate?

It is the average ratio of assessed value to sales price of properties sold in the town each year.

How does the equalization rate affect my taxes?

The equalization rate determines the share of school and county taxes that residents pay.

The Board of Assessment Review hearing will be held at the Town Hall.

1.  Date of hearing for 2016 will be May 25, 2016 .

2.  Time of hearing = 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

3.  All complaints must be filed with the Assessor prior to the date of the hearing or with the Board of Assessment Review on  the day of the hearing.  All complaints must be filed on the prescribed New York State Form RP-524.  Each parcel must be on a separate form.  The complaint form may be picked up at the assessor's office or online at www.tax.ny.gov/research/property .

4.  The Assessor be reached at 607-547-5068 and Deputy Assessor at 607-547-2047  Hours are by appointement.

5.  The Tentative Assessment Roll will be filed on May 1st each year in the office of the Town Clerk and will be available for inspection by the public until the fourth Wednesday in May (Grievance Day).   

6.  The Uniform Percent of Value is 100%.

7.  Every taxpayer should examine the Tentative Assessment Roll on file in the offices of the Assessor and Town Clerk to see if the assessment is correct and all exemptions granted are listed correctly.

 

Chairman Richi Dee Horne, P.O. Box 431, Worcester, NY 12197 (607-434-8546)

Mary Fay, 493 Strong Hill Road, Schenevus, NY 12155 (607-638-9972)

Terry Clapper, P.O. Box 331, Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607-286-7030) 

The Board of Assessment Review consists of not less than three or more than five members appointed by the Town Board. The majority of the members cannot be officers and employees of the town.  The town Assessor may not serve as a Board of Assessment Review member (Real Property Tax Law, Sections 102(3), (4), (523). The members serve 5-year terms.