OFFICE OF THE ASSESSOR
Assessor: Celeste Karakas
Email: ckarakas@townofcamillus.com
Staff:
Ann Clancy
Nancy Salvetti
Address:
4600 W. Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13219
Business hours:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
(except holidays)
Phone: (315) 487-7574
Fax: (315) 487-5568
The Assessor’s office is responsible for establishing and maintaining a taxable value, or assessment, on all properties and entering those values on the Assessment roll each year. Some methods of determining a properties value include the sale price of the property and/or comparable properties, new home construction costs, cost of renovations and/or additions, replacement costs, or rental information. In addition, the Assessor’s office retains and updates inventory records, processes and stores deeds on all transfers, and administers all property tax exemptions.
The Assessor is available by appointment, anytime during the year to discuss assessments. If you wish to speak personally with the assessor, please call the office between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday for an appointment.
For more information about assessments, please visit:
The New York State Office of Real Property Services
Onondaga County Real Property Tax Information/Lookup
IMPORTANT DATES:
March 1: Taxable Status Date
All exemption applications and renewals must be filed by March 1st to affect the following September’s school tax bill and January property tax bill.
May 1: Tentative Assessment Roll Filed
Property owners will be notified of any changes to their assessments at this time.
4th Tuesday in May: Grievance Day
Property owners may appear or file a grievance complaint form if they feel their assessment is incorrect. Grievance forms will be available in the Assessor’s Office at the end of April. The tentative assessment roll is also available for inspection prior to grievance day. After Grievance Day, letters outlining the Assessment Board of Review’s decision will be sent to property owners.
July 1: Final Assessment Roll Filed
All changes from Grievance Day are entered on the final roll. The following September school tax and January property tax bills are based on the assessment as of July 1.
TAX EXEMPTIONS
(must be filed by March 1 of each year)
For any questions concerning the Basic Star re-registration, please contact New York State at 518-457-2036. The Assessor’s Office has no additional information on the this matter.
STAR Exemption:
The School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption provides a partial exemption from school taxes for most owner-occupied, primary residences. Property owners who are granted the basic exemption generally do not need to reapply in subsequent years.
The basic STAR works by exempting a portion of the primary residence’s full value. In counties where the median home value is higher than the statewide median home value, this exemption is increased proportionally so that homeowners in these areas will realize equivalent tax relief.
Click here for the basic STAR Application Form (RP-425)
Enhanced STAR Exemption:
The School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption provides a partial exemption from school taxes for most owner-occupied, primary residences. The enhanced exemption is available to senior citizens (age 65 and older) who meet maximum income qualifications. Unless the applicant is a participant in the Income Verification Program (IVP), proof of income (income tax return) must be supplied before the STAR exemption may be renewed each year.
The Income Verification Program (IVP) authorizes the Assessor to have the applicants’ income verified in subsequent years by the State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF). The DTF merely confirms which applicants meet the income requirements; the actual income figures are not disclosed. Seniors who choose this option must furnish their taxpayer identification numbers. Seniors who choose to participate in the IVP will no longer need to furnish tax returns to their local Assessors (unless the DTF is unable to verify them).
The STAR IVP does not directly affect seniors who are receiving the Senior Citizens Exemption. Such persons will still have to provide documentation of their income and reapply for the exemption annually. Those who qualify for the Senior Citizens Exemption automatically qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption, so separate STAR applications do not need to be submitted in those cases.
Click here for the Enhanced STAR Application Form (RP-425)
Click here for the Optional Income Verification Program Form (RP-425-IVP)
Senior Citizen STAR Exemption:
The Town of Camillus grants an additional reduction of between 5% and 50% (dependent upon income) to qualifying senior citizens. This exemption is computed after all other allowable exemptions have been subtracted from the total amount assessed. Contact the Assessor’s Office for further information.
Senior citizen homeowners who receive the existing Senior Citizen exemption automatically qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption. As a result, they need only to file and qualify for the Senior Citizen exemption, and they will receive both that exemption and the Enhanced STAR exemption.
The STAR IVP (Income Verification Program) does not directly affect seniors who are receiving the Senior Citizens Exemption. Such persons will still have to provide documentation of their income and reapply for the exemption annually. Those who qualify for the Senior Citizens Exemption automatically qualify for the Enhanced STAR exemption, so separate STAR applications do not need to be submitted in those cases.
Click here for the Senior Citizen’s STAR Application Form (RP-467)
Cold War Veterans
This exemption is available to veterans who served between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991; application form RP458-b and discharge form DD214 must be submitted.
Click here for the Cold War Veteran's Exemption Application Form (RP458-b)
Other Exemptions:
Exemptions may also be available to veterans and those with disabilities. For more information, contact the Assessor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Where can I get more information about the STAR Program?
Visit the New York State Office of Real Property Services FAQ page
When is Grievance Day?
Grievance day is always the fourth Tuesday in May.
Do I have to apply or reapply for the STAR exemption every year?
Not if you are under 65 years of age.
What is required for those over 65 to reapply annually?
A copy of latest income tax if one was filed or a social security benefit statement, interest statements and pension statements, if one was not filed along with the renewal.
By what date must exemption forms be filed?
All exemption applications and renewal forms must be received by the Assessment Department on or before March 1 each year.
What is the most recent selling price of a house?
Search the Onondaga County website's Real Property Information page or review the real estate section of the Sunday edition of the Syracuse Post Standard newspaper.
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