Orange County, NY Property Tax Grievance
This page covers Orange County, New York, not Orange County, California. New York's grievance system works through local assessors and boards.
County records, local filing
Orange County's Real Property office and its taxpayer information page are useful sources for parcel and roll information. The county is a record source, not a countywide place to file: grievances go to the town, city or village that assesses your property.
Town versus city
The Town of Newburgh and the City of Newburgh are separate municipalities; Middletown is likewise a city with its own assessor and schedule. Cities set their own schedules, so general town rules may not apply. Check your municipality directly.
If you live in a village that does its own assessing, the town and the village are separate assessing units. Each one needs its own RP-524 complaint, filed by its own deadline. Your mailing address does not tell you which assessing unit your property falls in; a "town" or "village" name on an envelope can differ from the municipality that actually assesses the parcel.
When grievances are due
According to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance grievance procedures page, most communities outside Westchester's towns hold Grievance Day on the fourth Tuesday in May. Cities set their own schedules, so city dates vary. Villages that assess property typically hear grievances on the third Tuesday in February, but confirm the date with the village clerk. Your assessor publishes the actual Grievance Day each year; treat the general rules as a starting point, not as your individual date. For an overview, see our grievance deadlines page.
Evidence checklist
- Property record accuracy: square footage, bedrooms, baths, lot size and condition.
- Renovations: what was done, when, and whether the record reflects it, including work never completed.
- Comparable sales near the valuation date your municipality uses, not just recent listings.
Assessment versus tax rate
A grievance challenges your assessment, the value your assessor places on the property. It does not challenge the tax rates set by school districts, towns or the county. A lower assessment can lower your share of the levy, but no one can promise a particular result. The state's guide to contesting an assessment explains the grounds, including unequal assessment and excessive assessment.
If the board denies the grievance
Eligible owners of one-, two- or three-family owner-occupied homes may file for Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR); the New York State Unified Court System's SCAR filing page sets out eligibility and steps, including residential-use requirements. NYS guidance says judicial review must be initiated within 30 days of the filing of the final assessment roll or notice of that filing, whichever is later. Do not count from the BAR decision alone. Confirm the applicable filing and service requirements for your case.
Questions about fees or how filing works? Read our FAQ.
Other counties we serve
Sources
Sources checked October 15, 2026. This page provides general information, not case-specific legal advice. Rules and dates can change; confirm the requirements for your property using official notices.