Prior to challenging your assessment….

Please Do Your Homework Before Completing Your Application. Your assessment should reflect the market value of your property. 

The 2025 Final Assessment Roll is based upon the market conditions as of July 1, 2024 (Valuation Date) and the status of the property as of March 1, 2025 (Taxable Status Date). 

Market value is typically what your home would sell for.

How to estimate the market value of your home

Helpful Videos about assessments are available here.

Finding comparable sales to support the market value of your home:

Selected properties should be recent sales sold on the open market from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.

Additional Support Material Could Include:

• Recent Professional Appraisal
• Recent Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) by a real estate professional
• Interior and Exterior photos showing current condition of the property

Select Properties with similar or the same:                   

** Properties which do not meet these criteria should not be chosen.

What You Can Do If You Do Not Agree with Your Assessed Value?

All property owners have a right to a review of their property assessment. The process to challenge assessments involves the following:

• Informal Review Process 
• Formal Grievance Process
• Small Claims Assessment Review

Informal Review Process

A scheduled meeting with staff in the Assessor's Department to inspect, review, and correct any data if necessary. Staff will then review the data and adjust the assessed value if warranted. Appointments can typically be made between January - March. 

**During a reassessment year, inspections may not be available due to the number of requests. During this busy time, pre-scheduled informal review appointments may take place at the department or be limited in availability and time. 

Formal Grievance Process

The Board of Assessment Review holds grievance hearings to hear the complaints submitted to the Assessor's Office on the fourth Tuesday in May each year. To be heard by the Board of Assessment Review (BAR), you must submit an application (RP-524) along with supporting documentation.

These Formal Grievance Applications RP-524 may be filled out and submitted to the Assessor's office in person or via mail ONLY:

Beginning May 1st through the fourth Tuesday in May (Grievance Day), no later than 8 PM.

Sign up for a reminder about the Grievance Process opening

**Applications received after 8 PM on Grievance Day will not be heard by the Board of Assessment Review, even if post-marked before. 
It must be received IN THE OFFICE by 8 PM on the fourth Tuesday in May. 

The application should be accompanied by supporting "evidence": Sales comparisons that support your opinion of market value of your home, a recent appraisal, a recent comparative market analysis from a real estate professional, cost estimates for necessary repairs, or photos of the condition of your property.

Once a grievance is received in the Assessor's Office, you will be scheduled for an appointment to appear before the Board of Assessment Review. Hearing times will be assigned as completed applications are submitted. However, you are not required to appear and may submit a grievance for review-only. More information on the formal grievance procedure is provided below:

• Contesting your Assessment-NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
• Contesting your Assessment from the Office of Real Property Tax Services
• Instructions on how to complete the RP-524 Grievance form

PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Brighton Assessor's Office will not accept Form RP-524 electronically

The town has developed two worksheets to assist with compiling supporting documentation for your grievance. You are not required to use these worksheets, but they may be helpful to you.

• Property Condition Worksheet can be used when you believe property condition issues impact the market value of the property.
• Property Comparison Worksheet will help you research your property's market value. The Town provides updated sales information which is broken down by home style. If you are unsure of the style of home, please email assessor@brightonny.gov with the property address and we will verify it for you. 

Judicial Review

If you are unsatisfied with the determination of your Formal Grievance with the Board of Assessment Review, you have the right to pursue challenging your assessment. There are two options, however, in order to pursue judicial review, you must have gone through administrative review (Formal Grievance) first. 

• Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR)

If you are dissatisfied with the results of your grievance, you have a right to file a petition for a Small Claims Assessment Review. This is a low cost option available to most property owners. This process is coordinated by Monroe County. A petition must be filed with Monroe County within 30 days of the filing of the Final Assessment Roll. Please read the instructions and complete petition for Small Claims Assessment Review. For more information, please visit the New York State Unified Court System webpage: How to File a SCAR Petition | NYCOURTS.GOV

• Tax certiorari proceedings in State Supreme Court - to pursue this option, you should contact an attorney.