Assessor

Assessor:
The duties of the Assessor include placing an equitable value on each parcel in the Town and maintaining an inventory of all data related to the ownership and assessment of the parcels. The Assessor’s office also processes all exemption forms.

FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

Renewal applications for Senior Citizens Limited Income, Disability and Agriculture are mailed to property owners each fall. These renewal applications must be filled out and returned to my office, with all supporting documentation, as soon as possible but no later than March 1st. Applications received after this date will not be approved. You will be notified by mail if your exemption was denied or removed.

The above exemptions, except Agriculture are all income based and proof of income for all deeded owners must be submitted with each application. Your prior year Federal or State tax return is generally acceptable but all Social Security income received by you and your spouse must be listed on the return. The taxable portion of SS is not sufficient proof for the Limited Income and Disability exemptions.

If you are not required to file a tax return, 1099 earnings statements from Social Security, Unemployment, Banks (interest, dividends etc), IRA’s, Insurance, Investment, pension and annuity plans must be provided as proof of income. Unreimbursed medical/insurance costs are not recognized as allowable income deductions in the Town of Lafayette. Agriculture exemption applicants must verify income from farming operations or have a current lease in place with another farm operation who meets the income requirements.
The Basic STAR and Veteran’s exemptions do not have to be renewed annually. They remain in place as long as you continue to reside in the residence.
Basic STAR No Longer Filed With Assessor…
In 2016, the law changed regarding the BASIC STAR exemption. Instead of applying to your assessor for the exemption, you’ll now register with New York State for the STAR credit. If you are eligible, you will receive a STAR credit in the form of a check. The dollar value of the credit will generally be the same as the property tax exemption. You can register online or by phone; visit Register for the STAR credit or call 518-457-2036.
Enhanced STAR…If you have been receiving a Basic STAR exemption and will be turning 65 during the calendar year you may qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption, subject to the income limits of the exemption. To have your Basic STAR upgraded to Enhanced STAR, you must submit proof of age and the following completed forms to my office.

RP-425-IVP,Supplement to Form RP-425-E (include the Social Security numbers of all owners of the property and any of their spouses who reside at the property), and
RP-425-E, Application for Enhanced STAR Exemption.

If you weren’t required to file a federal or NYS income tax return, you will need to submit Form RP-425-Wkst, Income for STAR Purposes Worksheet, to my office.
You may call my office at (315) 677-3420 with any questions. If you leave a message with a phone number your call will be returned.

To be routed to the NYS Office of Real Property please click the link below:
Property Owners can retrieve exemption forms from the Real Property website link below.
NYS Office of Real Property

Assessor Contact Information

Richard Maxwell
Town of LaFayette
2577 US Route 11
PO Box 193
LaFayette, NY 13084

Phone:
315-677-3420

Fax:
315-677-7806

E-mail: [email protected]

Hours:
Wednesdays only 9:00 am - 4:00