Suffolk County Property Tax Grievance — New York

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Suffolk County, located on the eastern end of Long Island, is New York's largest county by area with Riverhead serving as the county seat. Major population centers include Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, and Smithtown, forming a diverse mix of suburban communities and coastal towns. With a median home value of $424,200 and a median property tax bill of $7,192 annually, Suffolk County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States, ranking 12th out of 3,143 counties nationally. The county's effective property tax rate of 1.7% significantly exceeds the national median of 1.02%, making property tax grievances essential for homeowners seeking to reduce their substantial tax burden.

Notable cities: Babylon, Brookhaven, East Hampton, Huntington, Islip, Riverhead, Smithtown, Southold

Median Home

$424,200

Tax Rate

1.7%

Annual Tax

$7,192

Population

1.5 million

2026 Grievance Deadline: May 19, 2026

The filing period runs from May 1st through the third Tuesday of May each year

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

How Suffolk County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Town Assessor's Office (varies by town)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: mid-April

In Suffolk County, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning your assessed value should equal your home's full market value. If your home's market value is $424,200 (the county median), at New York's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $424,200, resulting in approximately $7,192 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.7%. This direct relationship between market and assessed values makes it crucial to ensure your assessment accurately reflects current market conditions.

The Grievance Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Assessment Review. The Board of Assessment Review holds hearings from 10:00 am to noon and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Grievance Day, though appearing is optional if you've submitted your written grievance

Review your assessment notice when it arrives in mid-April, comparing the market value and assessed value listed

Complete Form RP-524 and gather supporting evidence like comparable sales, photos of property conditions, and repair estimates

File your grievance with your town assessor's office between May 1st and May 19th via mail or in-person delivery

Optionally appear before the Board of Assessment Review on Grievance Day (third Tuesday in May) to present your case in person

Receive the Board's determination typically by July - if denied or unsatisfied, proceed to file a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR)

File SCAR petition with Suffolk County Clerk's Office in Riverhead (July-September depending on town, $31 filing fee)

Attend SCAR hearing scheduled in the following year where a judicial hearing officer determines your reduction

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

Filing Methods

mail:Mail grievance forms to your town assessor's office - must be received by the deadline

in-person:File directly with the Assessor's Office in the town where the property is located

online:Check with your specific town assessor for online filing availability

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property salesProperty condition photosRepair estimates/contractor quotesRecent appraisalEvidence of declining property values

Suffolk County Assessor Contact

Suffolk County Real Property Tax Service Agency

Phone: (631) 852-1551

Address: 300 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11973

Website: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Real-Property-Tax-Service-Agency

Online Portal: https://suffolk.munisselfservice.com/

Tax Exemptions in Suffolk County

Basic STAR

Varies - check from NYS

New STAR applicants receive a credit check directly from New York State instead of a property tax exemption

Eligibility: Primary residence homeownersDeadline: March 1, 2026

Enhanced STAR

Based on Adjusted Gross Income less IRA distributions

For seniors who had a STAR exemption on the property for 2015/2016 tax year

Eligibility: Age 65+ (must turn 65 during the year of application)Deadline: March 1st

Senior Citizens Exemption

Income limit of $107,300 for 2023 tax year

Property tax exemption for qualifying senior citizens on their primary residence

Eligibility: Age 65 and over by December 31 of application yearDeadline: March 1, 2026

Veterans Exemption

Varies by service period and disability status

Property tax exemption for qualifying veterans, amount varies by service

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteransDeadline: March 1, 2026

Persons with Disabilities

Income limit of $58,400 for 2023

Available to disabled persons with limited income

Eligibility: Persons with disabilities whose total income did not exceed $58,400Deadline: March 1, 2026

Volunteer Firefighters/Ambulance Workers

10% exemption (varies by district)

Property tax exemption for volunteer emergency service members

Eligibility: Minimum 5 years of service in some districts; 20+ years of service eligible countywideDeadline: Must renew annually

Official Resources

Suffolk County Real Property Tax Service Agency →

Official county resource for property tax information, tax maps, and assessment data for all Suffolk County properties.

Suffolk County Property Tax Payment Portal →

Online portal to look up property tax bills, make payments, and view assessment information for Suffolk County properties.

New York State Tax Department - Grievance Procedures →

State resource explaining the property tax grievance process, forms, deadlines, and procedures for challenging assessments.

Form RP-524 - Complaint on Real Property Assessment →

Download the official grievance form and other property tax exemption applications required for filing in Suffolk County.

Check Your Suffolk County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Suffolk County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to grieve my property taxes in Suffolk County?

The deadline to file a property tax grievance in Suffolk County is May 19, 2026, which is the third Tuesday in May. The filing period begins on May 1st and runs through this deadline date. These deadlines are strictly enforced - missing the filing date means losing your right to challenge your assessment for that tax year, regardless of how overvalued your property may be. It's important to note that you must file your grievance with the assessor's office in your specific town, as each of Suffolk County's ten towns handles their own grievance process.

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

If you accept the median Suffolk County tax assessment, you could pay nearly $14,000 more than the average New York resident over ten years' time and over $60,000 more than the average American. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, paying an average of $1,346 too much in property taxes annually. If your grievance is successful, you'll receive a refund for the current tax year, and the reduced assessment carries forward to the next tax year as well. Many homeowners see reductions of 10-30% in their assessments, which can translate to hundreds or thousands of dollars in annual savings depending on your property value.

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

Board of Assessment Review hearings in Suffolk County are held on Grievance Day (the third Tuesday in May) with sessions from 10:00 am to noon and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Town Board Room. It's not necessary to appear in person - you can submit your grievance by mail or in person without attending the hearing. If you do attend, you have the right to present statements and documentation supporting your grievance, and the assessor will also be present to be heard on any complaint. The Board typically notifies property owners of their determination by July.

What is the SCAR process in Suffolk County and when should I file?

If your grievance is denied by the town, you can file a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) petition, which must be filed in July through September 2026, depending on your specific town (Huntington files between September 15th and October 15th). The SCAR filing fee is only $31. After filing, a hearing will be scheduled in the following year where most towns seek a settlement conference before the formal hearing - if no settlement is reached, a judicial hearing officer decides your reduction. If successful, you'll receive a refund for the current tax year and the reduced assessment will be reflected on the following year's tax bills.

What evidence do I need for a Suffolk County property tax grievance?

To support your property tax grievance in Suffolk County, you should gather several types of evidence to demonstrate your property is overassessed. The most important evidence includes comparable sales of similar properties in your area that sold for less than your assessed value. You should also include photographs showing any property condition issues, repair estimates from licensed contractors documenting needed repairs, and a recent professional appraisal if available. Remember that you have the right to present both statements and documentation at your hearing. The stronger your evidence package, the better your chances of obtaining a reduction in your assessment.

How do I calculate if my Suffolk County property is overassessed?

To determine if you're overassessed, divide your assessed value by your town's Equalization Rate (ER) or Residential Assessment Ratio (RAR) to get the assessor's estimate of market value. RAR rates vary dramatically across Suffolk towns - for example, Riverhead's RAR is 14.58% while East Hampton's is just 0.57%, meaning identical $500,000 homes would have assessed values of $72,900 in Riverhead versus $2,850 in East Hampton. Compare this calculated market value to recent sales of similar homes in your neighborhood - if comparable homes are selling for less than your calculated market value, you likely have grounds for a grievance.

Can filing a property tax grievance raise my taxes in Suffolk County?

Your tax bill will not increase as a result of filing a tax grievance. Even if you are under-assessed, they cannot raise your assessment unless they reassess the entire area - there is absolutely no downside to filing a grievance. Property assessments can only be reduced through the grievance process. This protection ensures that homeowners can challenge their assessments without fear of retaliation or increased taxes. Additionally, New York State law prevents targeted assessment increases on individual properties outside of town-wide reassessments.

What are the income limits for property tax exemptions in Suffolk County?

Suffolk County offers several income-based property tax exemptions with specific limits for 2026 applications. The Persons with Disabilities exemption has an income limit of $58,400 for the 2023 tax year. The Senior Citizens exemption allows a maximum income of $107,300 for the 2023 income tax year (adjusted gross income less any IRA distributions). For Enhanced STAR, the income requirement is based on the owner's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) less any IRA distributions. All exemption applications must be received by March 1, 2026, with late applications being denied.

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 →

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← All New York property tax grievance info

Sources: https://hellertaxgrievance.com/deadline-for-tax-grievance-for-all-townships-in-suffolk-county/ | https://hellertaxgrievance.com/complete-guide-for-2026-property-taxes-in-suffolk-county/ | http://www.tax-rates.org/new_york/suffolk_county_property_tax | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/new-york/suffolk-county | https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Real-Property-Tax-Service-Agency | https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/contest/grievproced.htm | https://www.tax.ny.gov/forms/orpts/exemption.htm | https://townofbabylonny.gov/523/Real-Property-Tax-Exemptions

Last verified: 2026-02-15