Frequently Asked Questions
What it is your fee?
We will only charge you if we are successful at reducing your 2024 real estate assessment.
If you are successful, how much do you charge?
Upon successfully reducing your 2024 property tax assessment, our fee is 50% of the savings. For example:
Current 2024 assessment: $1,000,000.00
Reduced 2024 assessment: $800,000.00
Total reduction: $200,000.00
Total tax savings at 2.75% (estimate): $5,500.00
Total fee: $2,750.00
Total savings to client: $2,750.00
The savings will likely continue after the first year, barring a revaluation. As the property owner, you will enjoy those savings going forward. You will NOT owe PACWNY for taxes you saved beyond the first year, which would amount to $5,500 per year, in the example described above.
How do you determine if our case is worth appealing?
After consultation, we will analyze comparable data to determine if your property is over-assessed. If we feel it is a fair assessment, we will tell you.
However, if we think you are over-assessed, we will work with you and the Town Assessor, and, if necessary, appeal to the Board of Assessment Review to have your tax burden reduced.
What are my chances of getting a reduction?
PACWNY cannot guarantee what your outcome will be. However, in 2021 -2023, we had a 100% success rate in obtaining reductions for our clients.
Are there any potential downsides to appealing my assessment?
As per NY State Real Property Tax Law, the Assessor CANNOT raise your assessment if you request a lower value for your property. He/she can either lower it, or keep it the same, but cannot increase it.
Keep in mind, your Assessor is striving for equity. He/she is looking for fairness as much as you are. But the Assessor does not have the time to examine each parcel in their town every year for accuracy.
It is up to the property owner, or in this case, PACWNY, to represent you in challenging the assessment.
That’s where PAC of WNY comes in. We can represent you by taking the burden off you. We will sit down, in friendly, professional fashion with your Town Assessor, and explain why your assessment deserves to be reduced. Your Assessor is fair-minded.
We at PAC can provide comparable sales and other data to your Assessor to support a reduction in your assessment.
If we feel we can’t accomplish a reduction because you are not over-assessed, we will inform you of our opinion up front. If we feel you don’t have a case, we will not waste your time, or the Assessor’s. But even if we don’t take your case, you will at least have peace of mind that you are fairly assessed.
You have nothing to lose by requesting a free consultation from us.