Challenging Your Assessment
Step One: Establish Your Market Value
Develop an estimate of your property’s market value. You can learn how to estimate the value of your home or contact an appraiser or other real estate professional. You’ll want to look for sales between 7/1/2022 and 7/1/2025.
Anyone who wishes to challenge their assessment must submit information to support your determination of the property’s market value. So, you should determine your market value before filing a challenge.
Step Two: Grievance Day
Grievance Day in Cheektowaga is held on the fourth Wednesday, after the fourth Tuesday, in May. Grievance Day is a day to hear challenges to the Tentative Assessment Roll, mandated by New York State. Grievance Day is held every year regardless of reassessment. There are two options for grievance day.
For the 2026 roll year, Grievance Day is 5/27/2026.
The first option is to request a hearing. Hearings can be scheduled with the Assessor’s Office after turning in a completed Grievance Day application (rp-524). This year hearings are being held in person only. At the hearing you will have a conversation with the Board of Assessment Review regarding your assessment. You will need to provide the information you’ve collected that supports your claim to a reduction in assessed value along with the completed application prior to May 27, 2026. Everyone will who wishes to have a hearing will be scheduled for one. All appointments must be scheduled. Turn in the completed rp-524 before Grievance day to get your preferred time on May 27, 2026. The Board of Assessment Review can ask questions and request additional documentation from you. The Assessor can also give testimony at the hearing. No decisions are made at the hearing.
The second option is a non-hearing. This option requires you submit a completed rp-524 application along with your supporting information anytime beginning May 1 through Grievance Day (May 27, 2026). A review of the your information along with the information used to establish your assessment is looked at after Grievance Day. The Board of Assessment Review is able to request additional documentation to make their determination.
A hearing you provide verbal testimony in person in front of the Board of Assessment Review. A non-hearing all testimony is provided in writing. The Board of Assessment Review reviews both hearings and non-hearings equally. You can select either option based on your personal preference.
With both a hearing and non-hearing a decision is made after Grievance Day and all decision notices are mailed prior to July 1. This is due to a deadline set by New York State to file the Final Roll at the beginning of July.
Applications are accepted from May 1, 2026 through May 27, 2026. The RP-524 is not accepted electronically. It must be filed via mail, in person or by using one of the drop boxes located at Town Hall.
The assessment challenge worksheet is designed to help you compile your information in an easy way for the BAR to review. After you have determined your market value in step one. You can supply the BAR with sales using the assessment challenge worksheet that support your estimation of market value. It is vitally important that you provide the BAR with sales of homes that are similar to your own home in style, size, square footage, etc. The assessment challenge worksheet will help you narrow down your search results to 5 homes plus yours and the details of all 6 in one place.
Additional Information
If you are assessed fairly but feel your taxes are too high.
Assessors do not determine your property taxes. If you feel that your assessment accurately reflects the market value of your property but that your property taxes are still too high, you may wish to address this matter with the taxing jurisdictions that impose taxes in your community—the school board, county legislature, city council, town board, fire district, and other special districts. The Assessor can explain how property taxes are calculated, including what property tax exemptions are offered in the Town of Cheektowaga.
