Assessor: Kim Cammer
Hours:
Monday 12:30PM – 4:00PM
Wednesday 8:00AM – Noon
Fridays by appointment only
Please note that some of the assessor’s time is spent out in the field. It is advisable to call ahead to ensure someone is in the office.
Location: downstairs on right, Town Hall
Address:
PO Box 459
Canaan, NY 12029
E-mail: assessor@canaannewyork.org
Phone: (518) 781-3433
Board Liaison: David Patzwahl
Town of Canaan Assessment Rolls
The deadline for filing for the above exemptions is March 1st.
2018 RE-ASSESSMENT PROJECT
This reassessment of all real property is the result of a decision made by the Town of Canaan to create fair and equitable assessments at 100% of Market Value. It is done pursuant to Sections 301 and 305 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law (RPTL.) It is the intent of the Town to complete the reassessment in accordance with Section 1573 RPTL, rules and procedures in order to qualify for State Aid.
To accomplish this in the most economical or fiscally responsible way it is the decision of the Town of Canaan to perform the project as a combined effort between the Town Assessor’s office and the Columbia County Real Property Tax office. Columbia County will be aiding the Assessor with data verification, valuation support and guidance.
The first step is to verify the inventory Data currently on file. Because a complete Data Collection was conducted in 2010 this will only be a Data VERIFICATION. During this process either the Assessor or the County Data Collector will be briefly visiting each property to verify the inventory on record and take a digital photo.
In some cases this can be done from the public right of way. In other cases it will be necessary to knock on the door before we take new measurements or access the rear of the property.
Unfortunately due to time constraints, weather and associated costs we cannot make appointments during this process. We do expect the process to start immediately January 18, 2017.
This portion of the project will be complete by April 2017. At that time Data Mailers will be sent to each property owner with a listing of their inventory. Owners will be able to return the mailers with corrections if necessary.
If you would like more information, please call the Assessor @ 518-781-3433 or email her @ assessor@canaannewyork.org
TAXES
The Assessor is responsible for producing values and administering exemptions. The Assessor does not collect taxes or have the tax amounts or copies of the tax bills. For copies of tax bills and tax information please call the tax collector for that jurisdiction.
CanaanTown and CountyTax Collector (January Bills) – Charlotte Cowan – 518-781-3144
Town and County Bills – http://egov.basny.com/Canaan/
New Lebanon School Tax Collector (September Bills) – 518-794-9016
New Lebanon School Tax Bills – http://tax.neric.org/Search.aspx?district=104801
Chatham School Tax Bills (September Bills) – (518) 392-1508
Chatham School Tax Bills – http://infotaxonline.com/FindProperty.aspx
What Is the Property Tax?
The real property tax is a tax based on the value of real property. Counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, and special districts each raise money through the real property tax. The money funds schools, pays for police and fire protection, maintains roads, and funds other municipal services enjoyed by residents.
What Determines the Amount of a Property Tax Bill?
The amount of a particular property’s tax bill is determined by two things: the property’s taxable assessment and the tax rates of the taxing jurisdictions in which the property is located. The tax rate is determined by the amount of the tax levy to be raised from all, or part, of an assessing unit, and the unit’s taxable assessed value. The assessment is determined by the assessor and is based on the value of the property less any applicable property tax exemptions.
What Kind of Property Is Assessed?
Every parcel of real property in an assessing unit, no matter how big or how small, is assessed. Real property is defined as land and any permanent structures attached to it. Examples of real property are houses, gas stations, office buildings, vacant land, shopping centers, saleable natural resources (e.g. oil, gas, timber), farms, apartments, factories, restaurants, and, in most instances, mobile homes.
Though all real property in an assessing unit is assessed, not all of it is taxable. Some, such as religious or government owned property, are completely exempt from property taxes. Others are partially exempt, such as veterans who qualify for an exemption on part of the property tax on their homes.
What Is an Assessment?
A property’s assessment is a percentage of its market value. Market value is how much a property would sell for under normal conditions. Assessments are determined by the assessor, an elected or appointed local official who independently estimates the value of real property in an assessing unit. Assessing units follow municipal boundaries — county, city, town, or village.
The assessor can estimate the market value of property based on the sale prices of similar properties. A property can also be valued based on the depreciated cost of materials and labor required to replace it. Commercial property may be valued on its potential to produce rental income for its owners. In other words, the assessor can use whatever approach provides the best estimate of a property s market value. Properties in suboptimal uses generally may not be assessed at market value; they must be assessed at their current-use value.
How Do I Know If My Assessment Is Right?
It is up to individual property owners to monitor their own assessments. Taxpayers should bring any questions about assessments to the assessor before the tentative roll is established (contact your assessor for the tentative roll date). In an informal setting the assessor can explain how the assessment was determined and the rationale behind it.
What Determines the Tax Rate?
The tax rate is determined by the amount of the tax levy. There are several steps involved in determining the tax levy. First, the taxing jurisdiction ( a school district, town, county, etc.) develops and adopts a budget. Revenue from all sources other than the property tax (State aid, sales tax revenue, user fees, etc.) is determined. These revenues are subtracted from the original budget and the remainder becomes the tax levy. It is the amount of the tax levy that is raised through the property tax.
(Do you have more questions about how the property tax works? The information above was excerpted from a pamphlet published by New York State: How the Property Tax Works. Read the entire pamphlet or talk to the Assessor.)
