Board of Assessment Review Board of Assessment Review

Board of Assessment Review

The City of Mechanicville Board of Assessment Review (BAR) is an independent body appointed by the City Council to provide property owners with a fair and impartial process for challenging their property assessments. If you believe your property has been assessed incorrectly, the Board of Assessment Review is your first step toward getting it resolved.

What Is a Property Assessment?

Your property assessment is the value placed on your property by the City Assessor, which is used to calculate your property taxes. Assessments are intended to reflect the market value of your property. If you believe your assessment is too high or otherwise inaccurate, you have the right to formally contest it through the grievance process.

What We Do

The Board of Assessment Review is responsible for:

• Hearing formal complaints — known as grievances — from property owners who believe their assessment is incorrect
• Reviewing supporting documentation and evidence provided by property owners and the City Assessor
• Independently evaluating whether an assessment should be reduced, changed, or upheld
• Issuing written determinations on each grievance filed

The Board operates independently of the City Assessor's office and serves as an unbiased review body for all assessment disputes.

How to File a Grievance

If you believe your property assessment is inaccurate, here's what you need to know:

Step 1 — Check your assessment. Review your current assessment and compare it to similar properties in Mechanicville. Assessment information is available through the City Assessor's office.

Step 2 — Complete Form RP-524. This is the official New York State grievance form, available from the City Assessor's office or at Forms & Applications. Complete the form and include any supporting documentation, such as a recent appraisal, comparable sales data, or other evidence supporting your claim.

Step 3 — File by Grievance Day. Submit your completed form to the City Assessor's office on or before Grievance Day. Contact the Assessor's office for the current year's Grievance Day date, as dates may vary. Filing late will disqualify your grievance.

Step 4 — Attend your hearing (optional but recommended). You may appear before the Board in person to present your case, with or without an attorney or representative. You may also submit your grievance in writing without appearing.

Step 5 — Receive the Board's determination. The Board will notify you of its decision in writing, including the reasons for its determination.

What Grounds Can I Grieve?

Under New York State law, property owners may challenge an assessment on four grounds: the assessment is excessive (higher than the property's market value); the assessment is unequal (assessed at a higher percentage of market value than other properties); the assessment is unlawful; or the property has been misclassified.

Please Note: The Board of Assessment Review handles assessment disputes only — it does not have authority over property tax rates or tax bills. If you have concerns about the amount of your tax bill, please contact the relevant taxing jurisdiction, such as the City Council, school district, or Saratoga County.

What If I'm Not Satisfied with the Decision?

If you disagree with the Board's determination, you may seek further review through the courts. Options include Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR), available to owners of one-, two-, or three-family owner-occupied residences, or a formal Article 7 proceeding in New York State Supreme Court. Consulting a private attorney is recommended for judicial review.