EXEMPTION FILING DEADLINE AND GRIEVANCE DATE CHANGE FOR TOWNS ONLY.  

Taxpayers Alert: Erie County, New York; 

 Taxable status date has been changed from May 1, of any given year to March 1 effective January 1, 2009. This will move the assessment calendar up by two months. 

Therefore, taxpayers filing for any REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, for example STAR, AGED EXEMPTION, VETERANS EXEMPTIONS, DISABILITY, AGRICULTURAL, BUSINESS INVESTMENT EXEMPTION; must file or renew his or her exemption on or before March 1, 2009. 

This will also effect the date that taxpayers can challenge assessments through the Town BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW, the old law set grievance day as the first Tuesday in June. Therefore for 2009 grievance date for the 25 Towns will be the fourth Tuesday in May.  For 2009 that date will be May 26, 2009. 

This change does not apply to the Cities of Buffalo, Lackawanna or City of Tonawanda. They operate under a City Charter. Contact the Appropriate City Assessor for filing deadlines. 

For further information please contact your local Town Assessor’s Office.