The  Assessor

The Assessor is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council as a local government official.  The assessor is obligated by New York State law to maintain assessments at a uniform percentage of market value each year.  To do this the Assessor’s Office maintains an inventory of all parcels located in the city.  The City of Rensselaer has approximately 3,300 parcels.  Our mission is to ensure fairness and equity in the valuation of all real property located in the City and to treat each property owner in a polite and professional manner.  

The Roll of the Assessor

  • Inspects new construction and major improvements to existing structures 
  • Approves and processes property tax exemptions 
  • Reviews every transfer of real property for accuracy 
  • Maintains all property inventory records and continually collects and records new data 
  • Appears at all public hearings of the Board of Assessment Review (BAR)

Sharon Martin, IAO

62 Washington Street  
Rensselaer, NY 12144    
Phone:   (518) 462-5421  
Fax:  (518) 465-6803
Email: [email protected]

Click on the following link to access Rensselaer County Tax Maps including the City of Rensselaer 
City of Rensselaer Tax Maps  

  2023 FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL                                                                

If you need better understanding in reading the Assessment Roll you can find help here:
Instructions and Overview of the Assessment Roll                            

Click on this link to access the Rensselaer County Real Property Information System                                                                                          

The STAR program has transitioned to:                 School Tax Relief (STAR) Credit

NEW STAR applicants will receive a credit in the form of a check directly from New York State instead of receiving a school property tax exemption. The amount of your STAR benefit is the same regardless of how you receive it. 

If you are already enrolled in the STAR program this will not apply to you. Current Basic and Enhanced STAR recipients will keep their exemptions as long as they continue to own their current homes.

NEW Basic and Enhanced STAR applicants must register with the New York State Tax Department to receive a STAR credit check. Visit  www.tax.ny.gov or call (518) 457-2036.

Property Exemptions

There are several types of exemptions for homeowners. The most common are: 

  • Basic STAR 
  • Enhanced (Senior) STAR 
  • Senior Citizen (Aged) 
  • Persons with disabilities and limited income 
  • Alternative Veteran 
  • Cold War Veteran 
  • Business Exemption

The last day to file for these exemptions is March 1st. You may contact this office to obtain application forms or use the following links to download them. If you have any further questions regarding eligibility you may contact this office.

EXEMPTION APPLICATION FORMS

  • RP425-E      RP-425-E Application for School Tax RELIEF (Used for Enhanced STAR)
  • RP-425 IVP  RP-425-IVP Senior citizens who would like to continue receiving Enhanced STAR in future years without having to reapply and submit copies of their tax returns to the assessor every year may sign up for the STAR Income Verification Program.     
  • RP-467         RP- 467   Application for Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property of Senior Citizens (And for Enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) Exemption  (Used for the Aged Exemption)
  • RP-459c        RP-459-c Application for Partial Tax Exemption for Real Property of Persons with Disabilities and Limited Incomes  
  • RP-458a        RP-458-a Application for Alternative Veterans Exemption    
  • RP-458b        RP-458-b Application for Cold War Veterans Exemption     
  • RP-485b        RP-485b  Application for Real Property Tax Exemption for Commercial, Business or Industrial Property 

Assessment Appeal Process

Any person aggrieved by an assessment may file a complaint (RP-524 below). You may complete the complaint yourself or your representative or attorney may complete it for you. This process can only be done once a year on the fourth Tuesday in May. 

The following is a link to download the required form.

  • RP-524          RP-524  Complaint on Real Property Assessment 
  • RP-524 INS  RP-524-INS  General Information and Instructions for Filing Complaints on Real Property Assessments 

NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLL AND HEARING OF COMPLAINTS

The Assessor (or her designee) will be available by appointment with the assessment roll at City Hall, 62 Washington Street on the following dates:

GRIEVANCE DATES AND INFORMATIONAL FLYER              

The Board of Assessment Review will meet at City Hall on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 4 to 8pm to hear grievances based on the 2023 tentative assessments.

Grievances can be filed with the Assessor on or before the first day the Board of Assessment Review meets to hear complaints or with the Board of Assessment Review on May 24th.  Please include the grievance application and all supporting documentation (recent appraisal of your property, sales comps.,etc) to support your request.  The failure to file your complaint on time closes off your right for administrative and judicial review of this year's assessment.

Assessment Questions

If you have any questions about your assessment, please feel free to contact this office.  If an appointment is needed, the following information may be helpful to have available. 

  • Current appraisal of your property
  • Recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood