Unlock Savings: Nassau County Residents Can Start Property Tax Appeals Now!
Attention Nassau homeowners! Are you feeling the sting of high property tax bills? Now’s your chance to take action! With the release of the tentative property tax rolls for 2026-27 this Thursday, you can officially appeal the county’s assessed value. Don’t let this opportunity slip by!
The clock is ticking—mark your calendars! You have until March 3 to submit your appeal to the Assessment Review Commission, as stated on their official site. Just last month, the Nassau County Legislature approved these tax rolls, but not without controversy. Critics have raised concerns about County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s administration opting to keep the same assessed values for the fifth consecutive year, essentially freezing property taxes in place.
Experts argue that maintaining outdated property tax rolls year after year can lead to significant disparities, making it easier for those who challenge their assessments to secure reductions. This results in a flawed and unfair tax system that many homeowners are left grappling with.
Furthermore, experts warn that allowing too much time to pass without updating assessed values can distort the entire tax landscape, especially as home values continue to rise. This creates an uneven playing field for those who either do not contest their assessments or are unsuccessful in their challenges.
Chris Boyle, a spokesperson for Blakeman, refrained from confirming whether the rolls have been frozen, instead labeling them as “fixed.” He did highlight the administration’s efforts to improve the assessment office’s accuracy, claiming that their initiatives have resulted in millions in savings for taxpayers.
Did you know Nassau homeowners consistently face some of the highest property taxes in the nation? A 2017 investigation shed light on the glaring inequities within this system.
Jeffrey Gold, a dedicated attorney from Bellmore and founder of a Facebook group for homeowners challenging their assessed values, expressed concern over the freezing of tax rolls. “The longer we keep these outdated assessments, the more inaccurate they become,” he stated. “It’s high time for a complete reassessment to bring our tax system up to date.”
Former County Executive Laura Curran made waves back in 2018 when she unthawed Nassau’s tax rolls and initiated a major reassessment of over 425,000 properties to address the outdated system. After an eight-year freeze, she paused updates during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued this freeze during her re-election campaign in 2021.
Fast forward to 2021—Republican Blakeman promised to “fix a broken system” and, after defeating Curran, has kept the tax rolls frozen since taking office in January 2022.
Democratic Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton voiced her frustration, stating that Blakeman “hasn’t lifted a finger” to rectify the property tax assessment system. “We’ve been dragged back to a time where homeowners must fight tooth and nail to avoid being overtaxed. This lack of action is not leadership—it’s sheer laziness,” she remarked. “With the tax rolls frozen for five years, the inequities are spiraling out of control, making the assessment system a total disaster. If he can’t handle the basics of fair and accurate assessments, what is he even doing?”
Boyle declined to address DeRiggi-Whitton’s comments. The question remains: will you seize this moment to advocate for a fair assessment? Don’t sit back while property taxes climb; take charge and appeal today!
