Board of Assessors
Laurie Bedford - Sole Tax Assessor
Rudy Tompkins - Tax Assessor Assistant
Phone
607-214-6080
harpersfieldassessor@gmail.com
Location
Upstairs of Town Hall
25399 State Route 23
Harpersfield, NY 13786
Hours
By Appointment Only
Tax Collector
Notice
Field Assesment
Assessor Job Description
The job of the assessor is to set the valuation of real property in the Town of Harpersfield in accordance with the Real Property Tax Law of New York State. It is our goal to fairly administer the responsibility and to advise Harpersfield taxpayers of our findings in an informative and courteous manner.
The department determines the value of all 1,426 properties in the Town of Harpersfield. Key to determining this value is the maintenance of an accurate record of each property and any improvements that may exist. Currently, the Harpersfield uniform % of value is 26.9%.
In addition, we administer property tax exemptions for senior citizens, veterans, forestry, non-profit and educational entities, conservation organizations and agricultural businesses.
STAR Program
This office also administers the School Tax Relief program, commonly known as STAR. As of 2016, new homeowners must apply for STAR directly with New York State by calling (518) 457-2036 or visiting www.tax.ny.gov and clicking on ‘Changes to STAR’.
Basic STAR:
- Provides an increased benefit for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with qualifying incomes:
- $93,200 or less for the 2023-2024 school year
- $98,700 or less for the 2024-2025 school year
- Based on the first $81,400 of the full value of a home for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Based on the first $84,000 of the full value of a home for the 2024-2025 school year.
Enhanced STAR:
- Provides an increased benefit for the primary residences of senior citizens (age 65 and older) with qualifying incomes:
- $93,200 or less for the 2023-2024 school year
- $98,700 or less for the 2024-2025 school year
- Based on the first $81,400 of the full value of a home for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Based on the first $84,000 of the full value of a home for the 2024-2025 school year.
To obtain the renewal forms, contact us or www.tax.ny.gov/forms/orpts_cur_forms.htm. Please note that NYS will automatically renew if the homeowner files NYS income tax.
The STAR benefit applies only to school district taxes. It doesn’t apply to county, town, or city taxes, except in the cities of New York, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse. In those five cities, the exemption is applied partly to city taxes and partly to school taxes.
Note: Senior citizens receiving STAR may also be eligible for the senior citizens exemption. See Senior citizens exemption to learn more.
We maintain property inventory records and identify ownership in the 1430 properties that make up our town. This involves reviewing and updating property record cards, recording transfer of property, change of mailing address, adjusting parcel size including split and merge at the request of owners. This is public information provided to taxpayers, appraisers, bankers. Relators. Title search companies, attorneys and others. In conjunction with the Building Department, we update property inventory when a new building permit is issued. This information along with access to building plans allows us to maintain an accurate and up-to-date information.
The grievance process allows taxpayers to challenge assessments. Each year, a change of assessment notice is sent to taxpayers. IF a taxpayer disagrees with the assessment, the next step is to call or come in and discuss your situation. IF this is not satisfactory, the taxpayer can file a grievance form. Our staff will assist you in filling out the form if needed. The Board of Assessment Review meets on the 4th Tuesday in May to hear grievances.
Grievance Forms
Veterans Exemptions
Veterans Exemptions are available if the owner is a veteran, spouse, un-remarried surviving spouse, dependent parent, children under 21 years of age. To best determine eligibility contact the Delaware County VETERANS SERVICE AGENCY, at 1 Gallant Ave., Delhi, NY (607) 832-5345. They will assist the veteran in filling out the DD-214 and other exemption forms. Then the applicant will turn them in to the assessors office before March 1st to be considered for the next tax cycle.
Important Dates
(see grievence date on calendar)
- March 1
- All new assessments and exemptions turned in to Delaware County Real Property
- May 1
- Tentative Assessment Roll
- 4th Tuesday in May
- Grievance Day
- July 1
- Final Assessment Roll