Board of Assessors

Laurie Bedford - Sole Assessor

Rudy Tompkins - Assistent to the Sole Assessor 

 

Phone

607-214-6080

Email

harpersfieldassessor@gmail.com

Location

Upstairs of Town Hall

25399 State Route 23
Harpersfield, NY 13786

Hours

By Appointment Only

2024  Assessors tentative assessment roll meeting dates and Board of Assessment Review Meeting Date in 2024

Tax Collector (H Stevens)

Notice

Field Assesment 

Notification

Assessor Job Description

The job of the assessor is to set the valuation of real property in the Town of Harpersfield in accordance with the Real Property Tax Law of New York State. It is our goal to fairly administer the responsibility and to advise Harpersfield taxpayers of our findings in an informative and courteous manner.

The department determines the value of all 1,426 properties in the Town of Harpersfield. Key to determining this value is the maintenance of an accurate record of each property and any improvements that may exist. Currently, the Harpersfield uniform % of value is 26.9%.

In addition, we administer property tax exemptions for senior citizens, veterans, forestry, non-profit and educational entities, conservation organizations and agricultural businesses.

STAR Program

The School Tax Relief (STAR) program offers property tax relief to eligible New York State homeowners.

 

If you are eligible and enrolled in the STAR program, you’ll receive your benefit each year in one of two ways:

  • STAR credit. If you are registered for the STAR credit, the Tax Department will issue your STAR benefit via check or direct deposit. You can use your STAR benefit to pay your school taxes. You can receive the STAR credit if you own your home and it's your primary residence and the combined income of the owners and the owners’ spouses is $500,000 or less.
     
  • STAR exemption: a reduction on your school tax bill. If you’ve been receiving the STAR exemption since 2015, you can continue to receive it for the same primary residence. As long as you remain eligible, you’ll see a reduction on your school tax bill for the amount of your STAR exemption. Note: The STAR exemption is no longer available to new homeowners.
Requirements for Basic and Enhanced STAR
Factor Basic STAR Enhanced STAR
Residency The property must be the primary residence of an owner.* The property must be the primary residence of at least one age-eligible owner.
Age No age restriction 65 or older

All owners must be at least age 65 as of December 31 of the year of the exemption, except where the property is jointly owned by only a married couple or only siblings, in which case only one owner needs to meet the age requirement.

Surviving spouses may be eligible to retain the Enhanced STAR benefit. See Surviving spouse eligibility.**
Income*** $500,000 or less for the STAR credit

$250,000 or less for the STAR exemption

The income limit applies to the combined incomes of only the owners and owners' spouses who reside at the property.

For 2025 benefits: $107,300 or less

The income limit applies to the combined incomes of all owners (residents and non-residents), and any owner's spouse who resides at the property.
Ownership The property must be owned by the eligible applicant(s).

A married couple can receive only one STAR benefit regardless of how many properties they own, unless they are legally separated.

Purchaser(s) in possession of the home under an executory contract of sale (aka land contract) are considered owners(s).

Corporations, partnerships, and LLCs are not eligible unless it is a farm dwelling.

 

 

For more information please contact NYS or the local assessor.

 

We maintain property inventory records and identify ownership in the 1430 properties that make up our town. This involves reviewing and updating property record cards, recording transfer of property, change of mailing address, adjusting parcel size including split and merge at the request of owners. This is public information provided to taxpayers, appraisers, bankers. Relators. Title search companies, attorneys and others. In conjunction with the Building Department, we update property inventory when a new building permit is issued. This information along with access to building plans allows us to maintain an accurate and up-to-date information.

The grievance process allows taxpayers to challenge assessments. Each year, a change of assessment notice is sent to taxpayers. IF a taxpayer disagrees with the assessment, the next step is to call or come in and discuss your situation. IF this is not satisfactory, the taxpayer can file a grievance form. Our staff will assist you in filling out the form if needed. The Board of Assessment Review meets on the 4th Tuesday in May to hear grievances.

Grievance Booklet

​​​​​Grievance Forms

Veterans Exemptions

Veterans Exemptions are available if the owner is a veteran, spouse, un-remarried surviving spouse, dependent parent, children under 21 years of age. To best determine eligibility contact the Delaware County VETERANS SERVICE AGENCY, at 1 Gallant Ave., Delhi, NY (607) 832-5345. They will assist the veteran in filling out the DD-214 and other exemption forms. Then the applicant will turn them in to the assessors office before March 1st to be considered for the next tax cycle.

Important Dates

(see grievence date on calendar)
  • March 1
    • All new assessments and exemptions turned in to Delaware County Real Property
  • May 1
    • Tentative Assessment Roll
  • 4th Tuesday in May
    • Grievance Day
  • July 1
    • Final Assessment Roll