Orange County Property Tax Grievance — New York

Rob Hartley·Updated March 5, 2026

Orange County, located in the Hudson Valley region of southeastern New York, had a population of 401,310 as of the 2020 census with Goshen serving as the county seat. Major population centers include Newburgh (31,524), Middletown (28,023), and Port Jervis. Orange County has one of the highest property tax burdens in the nation, with a median annual tax bill of $8,463—more than triple the national median of $2,400. The county's effective tax rate of 2.34% exceeds both the state average of 1.76% and the national median, making property tax grievances particularly important for homeowners seeking relief from excessive assessments.

Notable cities: Newburgh, Middletown, Port Jervis, Monroe, Goshen

Median Home

$361,100

Tax Rate

2.34%

Annual Tax

$8,463

Population

401,310

2026 Grievance Deadline: May 26, 2026 (Fourth Tuesday in May)

Grievance Day in Orange County falls on the fourth Tuesday in May each year. For 2026, this is May 26. Grievances must be received by the Board of Assessment Review or the town assessor by this date. Postmarks are not accepted—the form must be received in the office by the deadline. Always confirm with your local municipality as some villages may have different deadlines.

Property in Orange County, New York — local tax assessment and grievance guide

How Orange County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Orange County Office of Real Property Tax Services and individual town assessors

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May (spring)

In Orange County, properties are assessed at 100% of market value, meaning your assessed value equals the assessor's estimate of your home's market value. For example, if your home's market value is $361,100 (the county median), your assessed value would be $361,100. At Orange County's effective tax rate of 2.34%, this would result in approximately $8,450 in annual property taxes.

The Grievance Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Assessment Review. The Board of Assessment Review consists of three to five appointed members who review your complaint and supporting documentation. You may appear personally or with an attorney to present your case. The assessor will also be present and has the right to be heard on your complaint.

Step 1: Review your assessment notice received in spring (typically April-May) and compare your assessed value to your home's actual market value and comparable properties in your area.

Step 2: Obtain and complete Form RP-524 (Complaint on Real Property Assessment) from your local assessor's office or download it from www.tax.ny.gov. Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales, appraisals, photographs of property defects, and repair estimates.

Step 3: File Form RP-524 with your local town assessor or Board of Assessment Review on or before Grievance Day (fourth Tuesday in May—May 26, 2026). Consider scheduling an informal review with the assessor before the formal hearing.

Step 4: Attend your Board of Assessment Review (BAR) hearing if scheduled. Present your evidence showing why your assessment is excessive or unequal compared to similar properties. The BAR will review your complaint and issue a written determination typically by July.

Step 5: If dissatisfied with the BAR decision, file a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) petition with the New York State Supreme Court within 30 days of the final assessment roll being filed (typically by July 30). SCAR has a $30 filing fee.

Step 6: If SCAR is unsuccessful or unavailable, you may file an Article 7 tax certiorari proceeding in Orange County Supreme Court within 30 days of the final roll. This option requires an attorney and involves formal litigation.

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

Filing Methods

mail:Mail to your local town assessor or Board of Assessment Review. Must be received by Grievance Day, not just postmarked.

in-person:Orange County Office of Real Property Tax Services, 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. You can also file with your individual town assessor.

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable property sales (within past 12 months)Professional appraisal reportPhotographs showing property defects or damageRepair estimates or contractor invoicesDocumentation of assessment errorsNeighborhood market analysis

Orange County Assessor Contact

Orange County Office of Real Property Tax Services

Phone: 845-291-2490

Address: 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924

Website: https://www.orangecountygov.com/584/Real-Property

Online Portal: https://www.orangecountygov.com/612/Parcel-Information (ImageMate Online property search)

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tax Exemptions in Orange County

STAR (School Tax Relief)

Basic STAR exempts up to $30,000 of full value (income limit $500,000); Enhanced STAR for seniors 65+ exempts up to $63,300-$110,750 depending on income

Provides exemption from school property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Property owner must use home as primary residence. Enhanced STAR requires age 65+ and income of $110,750 or less for 2026 benefits.Deadline: Register at www.tax.ny.gov or call 518-457-2036. New applicants receive credit checks rather than exemptions.

Senior Citizens Exemption (Aged)

5% to 50% reduction in assessed value based on income (maximum income $58,399)

Reduces taxable assessed value for qualifying seniors

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older by December 31, own and occupy property as primary residence, and meet income requirementsDeadline: March 1, 2026

Alternative Veterans Exemption

15% of assessed value for wartime service; additional 10% for combat zone service; up to 50% additional for service-connected disabilities

Partial exemption for honorably discharged veterans who served during wartime

Eligibility: Must be honorably discharged veteran (or unremarried surviving spouse) who served during designated war periods or received expeditionary medal. Property must be primary residence.Deadline: March 1, 2026

Cold War Veterans Exemption

10% or 15% of assessed value (as adopted by municipality); additional percentage for service-connected disability

Property tax exemption for Cold War era veterans

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans who served between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991. Property must be primary residence.Deadline: March 1, 2026

Limited Income Disability Exemption

5% to 50% reduction based on income (maximum income $58,399)

Reduces assessed value for disabled homeowners with limited income

Eligibility: Must receive Social Security disability, Railroad Retirement disability, VA disability, or be legally blind. Must meet income requirements and use property as primary residence.Deadline: March 1, 2026

Official Resources

Orange County Office of Real Property Tax Services →

Official county office providing assessment information, tax maps, exemption details, and property tax guidance.

Orange County Property Search (ImageMate Online) →

Search property assessment records by owner name, address, or tax map number with 24/7 online access.

New York State Property Tax Grievance Information →

State Department of Taxation and Finance guide to contesting assessments, including Form RP-524 and instructions.

New York State STAR Program →

Check Your Orange County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to grieve my property taxes in Orange County for 2026?

The grievance deadline in Orange County is the fourth Tuesday in May, which falls on May 26, 2026. You must file Form RP-524 with your local Board of Assessment Review or town assessor on or before this date. It's critical to understand that the form must be received by the deadline—postmarks do not count. If you mail your grievance, allow sufficient time for delivery. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to challenge your 2026 assessment and will have to wait until the following year.

How much can I save by grieving my property taxes in Orange County?

The potential savings from a successful property tax grievance in Orange County can be substantial given the county's high effective tax rate of 2.34%. For example, if you successfully reduce your assessed value by $50,000, you would save approximately $1,170 annually in property taxes. On a median-valued home of $361,100, even a 10% assessment reduction could save you around $845 per year. These savings continue each year, and many municipalities offer multi-year protections on reduced assessments. Over several years, a successful grievance can save thousands of dollars.

What evidence do I need for an Orange County property tax grievance?

Strong evidence is essential for a successful grievance in Orange County. The most compelling evidence includes recent comparable sales (homes similar to yours that sold for less than your assessed value within the past 6-12 months), a professional appraisal showing your home's market value is lower than the assessment, and photographs documenting property defects, damage, or needed repairs. You should also include repair estimates from licensed contractors, evidence of assessment errors (incorrect square footage, wrong number of rooms), and a comparative market analysis from a real estate professional. The more documentation you provide showing your assessment exceeds your actual market value, the stronger your case before the Board of Assessment Review.

Can I file a property tax grievance online in Orange County?

Orange County does not currently offer online filing for property tax grievances using Form RP-524. You must file your grievance either by mailing it to your local Board of Assessment Review or town assessor, or by delivering it in person to the assessor's office. The Orange County Office of Real Property Tax Services is located at 255 Main Street in Goshen and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. While you cannot file online, you can download Form RP-524 from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website at www.tax.ny.gov, and you can search property assessment information online using the county's ImageMate Online system.

What happens at a Board of Assessment Review hearing in Orange County?

At your Board of Assessment Review hearing in Orange County, you will present your case to a panel of three to five appointed board members who are independent of the assessor's office. You may appear in person with or without an attorney, and you'll have the opportunity to present your evidence showing why your assessment is excessive or unequal. The town assessor will also attend and has the right to respond to your complaint. The hearing is relatively informal—you can submit documents, photographs, comparable sales data, and appraisals to support your position. After reviewing all evidence, the BAR will issue a written determination, typically by July, explaining their decision and the reasons behind it.

How does Orange County assess property values?

Orange County assessments are conducted annually by individual town assessors under the supervision of the Orange County Office of Real Property Tax Services. Properties are assessed at 100% of market value, meaning your assessed value should equal what your home would sell for on the open market as of the valuation date (July 1 of the prior year). Assessors use mass appraisal techniques, analyzing recent comparable sales, property characteristics (size, age, condition, location), and market trends. Assessment notices are mailed to property owners in spring (typically April-May). Because assessments can contain errors or fail to account for property-specific issues, it's important to review your assessment notice carefully each year and file a grievance if your assessment appears excessive.

What is the STAR exemption worth in Orange County?

The STAR (School Tax Relief) exemption in Orange County provides significant savings on school property taxes, which comprise a large portion of your total tax bill. Basic STAR exempts the first $30,000 of your home's full value from school taxes and is available to homeowners with incomes under $500,000. Enhanced STAR for seniors age 65 and older exempts up to $63,300 to $110,750 of value depending on income (income limit of $110,750 for 2026). The actual dollar savings varies by school district but typically ranges from several hundred to over a thousand dollars annually. New applicants now receive STAR as a credit check from New York State rather than as a property tax exemption, but the benefit amount remains the same. You can register for STAR at www.tax.ny.gov.

If my grievance is denied by the Board of Assessment Review, what are my next options in Orange County?

If the Orange County Board of Assessment Review denies your grievance or grants less reduction than you believe is warranted, you have two judicial review options. First, you can file a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) petition with the New York State Supreme Court within 30 days of the final assessment roll being filed (typically by July 30). SCAR is designed for residential property owners and has a $30 filing fee—it's a less formal process where a hearing officer reviews your case. Your second option is filing an Article 7 tax certiorari proceeding in Orange County Supreme Court, also within 30 days of the final roll. Certiorari is more formal litigation that requires an attorney but can be used for any property type and potentially offers greater reductions. You must file an administrative grievance first before pursuing either judicial option.

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)Kings County (Brooklyn)Monroe County (Rochester)

← All New York property tax grievance info

Sources: https://www.orangecountygov.com/584/Real-Property | https://www.orangecountygov.com/598/Assessors-Collectors | https://taxbycounty.com/new-york/orange-county | https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/contest/contestasmt.htm | https://www.propertytaxrefund.com/orange-county-property-tax-grievance/

Last verified: 2026-03-05