TOWN ASSESSOR

The Assessor’s Office of the Town of Big Flats is responsible for the valuation of all of the property within the town. These values are converted into estimates of property value, assessments, that are used in the computation of real property tax bills. This office is charged with maintaining property record files on 3,600 individual parcels as well as preparing assessment and property tax levy rolls for the town, Chemung County, and four school districts (Horseheads, Corning City Schools, Elmira Heights, and Elmira City Schools). This office also administers a wide program of property tax exemptions for the benefit of town residents and business owners.

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It is the goal of the Assessor’s Office to maintain the highest standards of assessment practice and to provide the town’s property owners with accurate and fair assessments. Property record collection standards are being upgraded to Uniform Standards for Professional Practice (USPAP) requirements. In so doing, much of the mystery and confusion surrounding assessments and their associated taxes should be diminished. Assessment practice should be transparent and this office will do everything possible to educate and assist our property-owning public. If you have any questions, please consult the links below or call our office.

County & Town Tax Bill

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How to read and understand your County & Town tax bill

• Use our guide to help you understand and read your annual tax bill

• Understanding your County & Town tax bill

Critical Dates

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The following dates are important to the property owner:

• January: County and Town Taxes are due by the end of the month.

• January/February: All exemption applications and/or renewals must be filed with the Assessor’s Office. Request for Assessment Review should also be filed at this time.

• March 1st: “Taxable Status Date” The last day to apply for exemptions and assessment review.

• May 1st: The tentative Assessment Roll is completed.

• 4th Wednesday in May: Grievance Day

• July 1st: The final Assessment Roll is completed.

• September: Taxes payable for the Horseheads and Elmira Heights School Districts.

• October: Taxes payable for the Corning and Elmira City School Districts.

More Information

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Click on the following links for valuable information for property owners:

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New York State Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) - Everything you would want to know about assessments and assessment practices in our state. Legal opinions, forms, equalization rates, and an entire galaxy of assessment related materials are available here.

New York State Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will provide you with information about landlord-tenant disputes and mobile home park regulations. A special complaint hotline is available at 1–800–771–7755.