Albany Department of Assessment – Albany, NY

Albany Department of Assessment and Taxation

The Albany Department of Assessment, situated within City Hall on Eagle Street, is the municipal authority responsible for determining the fair market value of all real property within the City of Albany. This office plays a fundamental role in the city’s financial structure by maintaining the assessment roll, which serves as the basis for the levy of municipal, school, and county taxes. The department is tasked with identifying and valuing all parcels of land and buildings, ensuring that the tax burden is distributed equitably among property owners according to the value of their holdings.

Exemptions and Grievances

A significant portion of the department’s work involves the administration of property tax exemptions. Staff members assist residents in applying for various tax relief programs, including the STAR (School Tax Relief) exemption, Senior Citizen exemptions, and Veterans’ exemptions. The office also manages the formal grievance process. Property owners who believe their assessment is incorrect can file a complaint with the Board of Assessment Review during the designated grievance period. The staff provides the necessary forms and guidance on how to challenge an assessment and navigate the review process.

Property Records and Public Access

The Department of Assessment serves as the custodian of detailed property records. They maintain updated tax maps, ownership information, and physical descriptions of properties, including data on improvements and sales history. This information is public record and is frequently utilized by real estate professionals, title companies, and prospective homebuyers. While this office determines the value of the property, it is important to note that they do not set tax rates or collect tax payments; those functions are handled by the City Treasurer and legislative bodies respectively.

• Valuation of residential and commercial property.
• Administration of STAR, Veteran, and Senior exemptions.
• Management of assessment challenges and Grievance Day.
• Maintenance of property inventory and ownership records.
• Updating of official city tax maps.