Assessment Department
The original and principal function of the Assessor’s Office is to maintain a fair and equitable assessment roll. This is the foundation for the levy of taxes by the schools (Webster Central and Wayne Central), Monroe County, the Town and the Village of Webster, as well as the various special districts. Each taxing jurisdiction prepares an annual budget, according to its own fiscal year, which takes into consideration the anticipated sources of income (except the tax levy) and necessary expenditures for their budget year. Once all is considered, the budget is “balanced” by levying the remainder of the funds needed against the taxable value on the assessment roll(s) for that taxing jurisdiction.
Thus, the purpose of the assessment is to equitably distribute the tax burden among the property owners. The assessment can be 100%, or 50%, or any percent of full market value. As long as it is the same (or close to the same) percentage throughout the assessment roll, the assessment is functioning properly. Its sole function is to provide equal opportunity for similar properties to pay similar taxes based on property value.
The duties and responsibilities of the Assessment Department are determined by the New York State Laws and consist of:
- Preparation of the annual assessment roll, which includes:
- Inspections of all properties and their changes since the last roll
- Gathering of market data for property valuation
- Valuation of all properties as of Taxable Status Date
- Administration of exemptions
- Maintenance of valuation equity among similar property types
- Attendance at all meetings of the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) Grievance Day
- Defense of assessments under judicial review
- Public education
The Assessor’s Office does NOT:
- Provide true tax information. Please contact the Receiver of Taxes or Monroe County Property Tax Search for this information.
- Answer questions regarding zoning on properties. Please contact the Department of Public Works Planning Department.
- Answer questions regarding building permits. Please contact the Building Department.
- Provide phone numbers of town residents.
In-office resources available for public use include:
- User-friendly terminal – Verify the data in our files on your property!
search the assessment roll, including
photos of properties
tax maps
aerial photography - Sales books for current and previous years – Search sales similar to your home!
arranged by building style
sorted by size
includes photos - Sales transfer reports
- Printed Official Assessment Roll
- Exemption Applications
- Bulletin Board with recent assessment and real estate news
Come say hello and ask us about the difference between assessments and taxes!