My Brookhaven Grievance Was Denied. Is There Anything I Can Do Next?

You filed your Brookhaven property assessment grievance, submitted your evidence and waited for the Board of Assessment Review. Then the decision arrives: no reduction. Does that automatically mean the process is over? Not necessarily.

Brookhaven Has a Board of Assessment Review

The Town of Brookhaven's Board of Assessment Review considers grievance complaints filed during the May grievance period and determines whether a reduction in assessed value is justified.

What If I Disagree With the Decision?

For certain residential properties, another option may be Small Claims Assessment Review, commonly called SCAR. Brookhaven states that a property owner may have the option of filing a SCAR petition for a qualifying one-, two- or three-family owner-occupied residence.

Is There a Deadline?

Brookhaven states that SCAR proceedings must be electronically filed within 30 days of certification of the Town of Brookhaven Final Assessment Roll. Brookhaven lists July 1 as the date the Final Assessment Roll is filed.

Does SCAR Guarantee a Reduction?

No. SCAR is another review process, not a guarantee. Commercial properties follow a different route involving tax certiorari proceedings rather than residential SCAR.

Conclusion

If your Brookhaven property assessment grievance is denied, the administrative grievance may not always be the last possible step. Qualifying owner-occupied residential property owners may have access to Small Claims Assessment Review. AIDOTAX helps New York homeowners understand the assessment-review process and deadlines.