CITY OF BUFFALO ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN ONGOING ASSESSMENT APPEALS PROCESS
Assessment Commissioner reminds property owners of deadlines for opportunities to seek a reduction in assessments
Property owners are encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing Informal Review Process, which allows owners to appeal their 2025 preliminary assessment values if they believe their property’s full market value is not accurately reflected. Informal Review Sessions are by appointment only and run until November 1st. To schedule an informal review meeting with the city’s reassessment contractor, KLW Municipal, Inc., call (716) 827-1643, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
“These sessions are an opportunity to learn about how your assessment value was determined and for property owners to provide any feedback or evidence that could support a more accurate assessment,” said Commissioner Jason Shell.
Informal reviews are free for property owners, who are encouraged to provide information to support their request for reduction including but not limited to:
Notes and pictures of any factors that might affect your property’s value (e.g. damage, needed repairs, dated kitchens and bathrooms, etc)
Provide a copy of a recent purchase offer or another verification of sale
Provide a copy of a recent appraisal, if recently mortgaged or refinanced
Identify comparable sales of similar properties within your tax neighborhood by visiting the city’s “property information” website, entering your address, and clicking “find comparables”
“To ensure the availability of appointments, property owners should schedule an informal review meeting with the city’s reassessment contractor, KLW Municipal, Inc., as soon as possible by calling (716) 827-1643, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:30pm to discuss your value in further detail,” said Commissioner Shell.
Property owners who participate in the Informal Review Process will receive the contractor’s determination on or around December 1st. If they do not agree with the determination, owners can seek additional assessment relief through the Board of Assessment Review (BAR). The BAR is an independent board which conducts hearings for property owners who grieve their assessed values and make determinations on property values. The BAR receives grievances during the City’s grievance period which runs from December 1st – December 31st. To be scheduled for a hearing, a grievance form (RP-524) must be completed and delivered to the Department of Assessment & Taxation by December 31st to be timely. Supporting evidence is encouraged to be provided with the grievance form by the requesting party.
“Understanding your assessed values and participating in these processes can help ensure that your property taxes are fair and accurate,” said Commissioner Shell.
For more information, contact the Department of Assessment and Taxation at 716-851-5733, Ext 1, or visit the department’s website at www.buffalony.gov.