Assessment Information

Exemptions

Veterans - The Assessor's Office will accept applications for qualified residential property, owned and occupied by veterans who serviced during defined periods of war. Surviving spouses of a veteran may also be eligible to apply. This exemption applies to the town and county portion of the General Property Taxes. It does not affect school taxes or special district levies. The qualified residential parcel will receive a 15% reduction of its assessed value, and if combat duty can be documented, an additional 10% will be applied. If the veteran received a service-connected disability rating, one-half of the disability rating will be added to the exemption.

Basic STAR - The Basic STAR exemption is for all owner-occupied residents. This program is open to homeowners of all ages and income. The application must be completed and returned to the Assessor's Office. Basic STAR applications do not need to be renewed.

Enchanced STAR - The Enhanced STAR exemption is for all owner occupied residents that are at least 65 years of age and the adjusted gross income of all owners is under $70,650, excluding income from IRA distributions. The application must be completed and returned to the Assessor's office along with proof of age, residency and a copy of their 2006 federal income tax return. 

New Options for Enhanced STAR - Income Verification Program - Property owners who are currently receiving the Enhanced STAR Exemption have the option of eliminating the annual renewal form requirement. Enclosed with all Enhanced STAR renewals there will be an application for the Income Verification Program (IVP). If a senior chooses this option, they will not have to annually renew their application or submit their income tax form.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1.

Responsibilities of Assessor's Office

All property in the Town of Inlet is assessed at full value. To maintain fair equitable and uniform property values tha taccurately reflect changes in economic  conditions and real estate values, town-wide revaluations are conducted annually.

The Assessor's office is responsible for assessing all town property and administering property tax  exemptions. Tax rolls are open for public inspection during weekday working hours. Tentative tax assessments can be provided prior to property purchases.

Assessors are interested only in fairly assessing property in their assessing unit. If your assessment appears to be in line, but your tax bill seems to high, the assessor cannot change that. Complaints to the assessor or the Board of Assessment Review must be about how the property is assessed. Complaints about high taxes should be addressed directly to the taxing jurisdictions such as the school district board, the county legislature or the town board, who set the tax rates. The Assessor does not set budgets or the tax rates resulting from the budgets. 

The Assessor's office has continually practiced an open door policy with all Town property owners.