AppealDesk

Monroe County Property Tax Grievance, New York

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Monroe County is located along Lake Ontario's southern shore in upstate New York, with Rochester serving as the county seat and largest city. As of 2025, the county has a population of approximately 750,500 residents. Major population centers include the City of Rochester (population 205,000), Greece, Irondequoit, Brighton, and Henrietta. Property tax grievances are especially important in Monroe County, where homeowners face one of the highest property tax burdens in the United States, with an effective tax rate of 2.92% compared to the national median of approximately 1.02%. The median annual property tax bill of $4,927 in Monroe County is more than double the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit, Brighton, Henrietta

Median Home

$285,000

Tax Rate

2.92%

Annual Tax

$4,927

Population

750,500

On the typical Monroe County home, valued near $285,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 2.92%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you grieve it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Grievance Deadline: Fourth Tuesday in May (May 27, 2026 for the 2026 tax year)

Grievance Day is the fourth Tuesday in May each year. For 2026, this falls on May 27th. Grievance filings are accepted beginning May 1st through 8:00 PM on Grievance Day. The form must be received by the local Board of Assessment Review or town assessor's office by this deadline, postmarks do not count. Missing this deadline means losing the right to challenge your assessment for that tax year.

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Row of classic New York brownstones. Monroe County grievance guide.

How Monroe County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Monroe County Real Property Tax Service and individual town assessors

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Monroe County, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the estimated market value. This differs from some New York counties that use a fractional assessment ratio. For example, if your home's market value is $285,000 (Monroe County's median), at the county's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $285,000, resulting in approximately $8,322 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 2.92%.

The Grievance Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Assessment Review. The Board of Assessment Review consists of three to five members appointed by the town board. You have the right to attend the hearing and present statements and documentation in support of your grievance. The assessor is required to attend and will present their case for the current assessment.

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Step 1: Review your assessment notice, typically mailed in April-May, and verify your property's assessed value against recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

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Step 2: Gather evidence including recent comparable sales data (preferably 3 or more similar properties that sold within the past year), photographs showing property condition issues, repair estimates for any defects, and your property's physical characteristics.

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Step 3: Complete Form RP-524 (Complaint on Real Property Assessment), available from the NYS Tax Department website or your local town assessor's office, including your estimate of the property's market value and supporting documentation.

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Step 4: Consider requesting an informal review with your town assessor before filing a formal grievance. The assessor may agree to a stipulated reduction, which avoids the need for a formal hearing.

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Step 5: File your completed RP-524 form with supporting documentation to your local town assessor's office or Board of Assessment Review between May 1st and Grievance Day (fourth Tuesday in May) no later than 8:00 PM. You may request a hearing or submit for review without appearing.

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Step 6: Attend your Board of Assessment Review hearing if scheduled (typically held on or shortly after Grievance Day). Present your evidence and explain why your assessment should be reduced. The assessor will also present their case.

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Step 7: Receive the Board's written determination, which must include the reasons for their decision. If granted a reduction, it will appear on the final assessment roll filed around July 1st.

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Step 8: If unsuccessful with the Board of Assessment Review, file a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) petition with Monroe County within 30 days of the filing of the Final Assessment Roll (typically by end of July), or file an Article 7 petition in New York State Supreme Court for judicial review.

Required form: Form RP-524 (Complaint on Real Property Assessment)

Filing Methods

mail:Mail completed Form RP-524 to your local town assessor's office or Board of Assessment Review. Must be received (not postmarked) by 8:00 PM on Grievance Day.
in-person:Submit in person to your local town assessor's office or Board of Assessment Review between May 1st and Grievance Day (8:00 PM deadline)
online:Not available - Monroe County does not accept electronic filing of Form RP-524

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (3 or more similar properties sold within the past year)Photographs showing property condition issues or defectsRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed repairsProperty appraisal report (if available)Documentation of property characteristics and features

Monroe County Assessor Contact

Monroe County Real Property Tax Service

Phone: 585-753-1125

Address: 304 County Office Building, 39 W. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614

Website: https://www.monroecounty.gov/property

Online Portal: https://www.monroecounty.gov/etc/rp/

Hours: Monday-Friday, business hours (contact office to confirm)

Tax Exemptions in Monroe County

STAR (School Tax Relief) Exemption - Basic

$30,000 exemption from full value of home for school taxes

Available for owner-occupied primary residences regardless of age or income

Eligibility: Primary residence owners; income must be under $500,000Deadline: March 1 (taxable status date for most Monroe County towns)

Enhanced STAR Exemption

Approximately $88,050 exemption from full value of home for school taxes (2026)

Enhanced version of STAR for senior citizens with income restrictions

Eligibility: At least one owner must be 65 or older by December 31; household income must not exceed state threshold (approximately $93,200 for 2026)Deadline: March 1 (taxable status date)

Senior Citizens Exemption

Sliding scale based on income; full exemption for income under $50,000, partial exemptions for income up to higher limits

Reduces assessed value for eligible seniors, applies to county and town taxes

Eligibility: At least one owner must be 65 or older; must have owned property for 60 consecutive months; income limits applyDeadline: March 1 (taxable status date)

Veterans Exemption - Alternative

15% reduction in assessed value for wartime veterans; additional 10% for combat zone service; no exemption available for school taxes

Reduces assessed value for qualifying veterans who served during wartime or received expeditionary medals

Eligibility: Veterans who served during defined periods of war/conflict or Cold War (Sept 2, 1945 - Dec 26, 1991); property must be primary residenceDeadline: March 1 (taxable status date)

Disabled Veterans Exemption

Varies based on disability percentage from service-connected disabilities

Additional exemption for disabled veterans based on disability rating

Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disabilities certified by the VA; property must be primary residenceDeadline: March 1 (taxable status date)

Monroe County Grievance Packet · $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to grieve my property taxes in Monroe County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax grievance in Monroe County is Grievance Day, which falls on the fourth Tuesday in May each year. For 2026, this is May 27th. You can begin filing your grievance on May 1st, and all forms must be received (not just postmarked) by your local town assessor's office or Board of Assessment Review by 8:00 PM on Grievance Day. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to challenge your assessment for the 2026 tax year, so it's critical to file on time.
How do I file a property tax grievance in Monroe County?
To file a property tax grievance in Monroe County, you must complete Form RP-524 (Complaint on Real Property Assessment) and submit it with supporting documentation to your local town assessor's office or Board of Assessment Review between May 1st and Grievance Day (fourth Tuesday in May). Since Monroe County has 21 different assessing jurisdictions, you'll file with your specific town rather than the county. You can obtain Form RP-524 from the NYS Tax Department website or your local assessor's office. Supporting documentation should include comparable sales data, photographs, and any other evidence that supports your claim that your property is over-assessed.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax grievance in Monroe County?
The most important evidence for a Monroe County property tax grievance includes recent comparable sales of at least three similar properties in your neighborhood that sold within the past year. You should also include photographs showing any property condition issues, repair estimates or contractor bids for needed repairs, and documentation of your property's characteristics. If available, a professional appraisal can strengthen your case. The key is to demonstrate that your property's assessed value of $285,000 (or whatever your assessment is) exceeds its actual market value based on objective evidence.
How much can I save by grieving my property taxes in Monroe County?
The savings from a successful property tax grievance in Monroe County depend on how much your assessment is reduced. With Monroe County's effective tax rate of 2.92%, every $10,000 reduction in your assessed value saves you approximately $292 per year in property taxes. If your home is assessed at $285,000 but is actually worth $260,000, a successful grievance could reduce your assessment by $25,000, saving you approximately $730 annually. Over a 10-year period, that's over $7,300 in savings, making the grievance process well worth the effort for over-assessed properties.
What happens at a Board of Assessment Review hearing in Monroe County?
At a Monroe County Board of Assessment Review hearing, you'll present your evidence explaining why your property's assessment should be reduced, typically to three to five board members appointed by your town board. The town assessor is required to attend and will present their case defending the current assessment. You can present comparable sales data, photographs, repair estimates, and testimony about your property. The hearing is informal but professional, you don't need an attorney, though you may bring one. After hearing both sides, the Board will issue a written determination with reasons for their decision, which becomes part of the final assessment roll filed around July 1st.
Can I grieve my Monroe County property taxes online?
No, Monroe County does not accept electronic filing of Form RP-524 for property tax grievances. You must submit the original paper form with supporting documentation either by mail or in person to your local town assessor's office or Board of Assessment Review. The form must be received (not just postmarked) by 8:00 PM on Grievance Day. While you can access property information through the Monroe County Real Property Portal online at monroecounty.gov/etc/rp/, the actual grievance filing must be done on paper. Many town assessors' offices recommend submitting your grievance in person or by certified mail to ensure timely receipt.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Monroe County?
Monroe County does not have a traditional "homestead exemption" like some states, but New York offers the STAR (School Tax Relief) program which functions similarly. The Basic STAR exemption is worth $30,000 off the full value of your home for school tax purposes, which for a median Monroe County home saves approximately $876 annually. Enhanced STAR for seniors 65 and older provides approximately $88,050 in exemption value, saving roughly $2,571 per year on school taxes. Additionally, Monroe County offers a Senior Citizens Exemption with a sliding scale based on income that can provide further reductions on county and town taxes for qualifying homeowners.
What if I miss the May 27, 2026 grievance deadline in Monroe County?
If you miss the Grievance Day deadline of May 27, 2026 in Monroe County, you generally cannot challenge your assessment for that tax year through the Board of Assessment Review process. There are very limited exceptions, such as for seniors who can demonstrate serious illness or death of an immediate family member if your town has adopted a local law allowing late filing. Otherwise, your only option would be to wait until the next grievance period beginning May 1, 2027. This is why it's critical to mark your calendar and file between May 1st and May 27th, 2026. Even if your grievance is postmarked on time, it must be received by 8:00 PM on Grievance Day to be valid.

Official Resources

Monroe County Real Property Tax Service →

Official Monroe County property tax office with contact information and resources for property owners.

Monroe County Real Property Portal →

Search and view property assessment data, tax bills, and sales information for all properties in Monroe County.

NYS Form RP-524 Grievance Form →

Official New York State grievance form required to challenge your property assessment in Monroe County.

NYS Property Tax Exemptions Guide →

Comprehensive guide from NYS Department of Taxation and Finance explaining available property tax exemptions including STAR, senior, veteran, and disability exemptions.

For state-wide grievance information including New York's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our New York Property Tax Grievance Guide →

Considering professional help with your grievance? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Grievance Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More New York Counties

Albany County (Albany)Bronx County (Bronx)Dutchess County (Poughkeepsie)Erie County (Buffalo)Genesee County (Batavia)Kings County (Brooklyn)
← All New York property tax grievance info

Sources: https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/new-york/monroe | https://www.monroecounty.gov/property | https://www.tax-rates.org/new_york/monroe_county_property_tax | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/new-york/monroe-county | https://www.monroecounty.gov/vsa-taxes | https://tax.ny.gov/pit/property/contest/grievproced.htm

Last verified: 2026-07-24