• support@townofclayton.com
  • 1-315-686-3512
Contact
Minutes / ResolutionsDocumentsTown CodeTown DocksLegal NoticesAssessment RollBudget

Assessor


Kimberli Johnston, Assessor

405 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY 13624
Phone: 315-686-3512, option 2
Fax: 315-686-2651
Email: kmjohnston@townofclayton.com

Office Hours
Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

The Assessor’s Job
The Assessor is responsible for preparing market value estimates for every property in Clayton. The values, or assessments are used for determining the tax burden for each parcel. Annually the Assessor’s officer reviews permits, transfers of property, and deeds to determine if a change in assessment is necessary. The Assessor is also responsible for administering exemptions to taxation. These exemptions include Senior Citizen, School Tax Relief (STAR), Agricultural, and Veterans to name a few. Below are links to the most commonly used assessment forms. A complete list of exemptions can be found online at www.tax.ny.gov

ASSESSMENT CALENDAR
July 1st – Valuation Date: Date used to set the market value (what the property would sell for)
March 1st – Taxable Status Date: Last date for an exemption application to be filed with the Assessor.  Date used to value the property as it physically stands.
May 1st – Tentative Roll Date: Last date that the Tentative Roll may be filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.  It is available for review in the Assessor’s Office.  Grievance Application RP-524 is available in the Assessor’s Office and this is the initial date to file a grievance application.  Grievance applications can be filed no later than the second week in May.
Wednesday, following the 4th Tuesday in May – Grievance Day [May 26, 2021]: Last date to file a Grievance Application (RP-524) in the Assessor’s Office.  This is also the hearing date of the Board of Assessment Review (BAR).
July 1st – Final Assessment Roll Date: No later than July 1st, BAR decisions reflect changes from Tentative to Final Roll; BAR decisions are mailed and filed in the Town Clerk’s Office and available for review in the Assessor’s Office, as well as available online at www.townofclayton.com and co.jefferson.ny.us/tax-rolls-rp  THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL WILL REFLECT THE CURRENT YEAR SCHOOL TAXES AND THE FUTURE YEAR TOWN/COUNTY AND VILLAGE PROPERTY TAX BILLS.

NOTICE:
The 2020 Final Assessment Roll is now available: 2020 Final Town of Clayton Assessment Roll

ATTENTION: PROPERTY OWNERS
IF YOU ARE 65 YRS OLD (OR WILL BE BY 12/31) AND YOUR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME IS LESS THAN $84,550. YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A STAR EXEMPTION. THE PROPERTY MUST BE YOUR PRIMARY RESIDENCE!CALL THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE WITH ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

Grievance Forms RP-524 MUST be received and an appointment made for Grievance Day at the Assessor’s Office to guarantee that you will be “heard” by the Board of Assessment Review on Grievance Day. A property owner who does NOT schedule a hearing in front of the Board of Assessment Review takes the risk of having to come back at a time set by the Board of Assessment Review.

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

REGISTERING FOR SCHOOL TAX RELIEF (STAR) CREDIT HAS CHANGED

New STAR applicants 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.  New Basic and Enhanced STAR applicants must register with the New York State Tax Department to receive a STAR check.

Are you eligible?
To receive the STAR credit, you must own your home and it must be your primary residence.

Basic STAR:  The total income of the owners and the owners’ spouses who primarily reside at the property must not exceed $500,000.

Enhanced STAR: The income limit for Enhanced STAR is annually adjusted for inflation.  The 2016 income limit is $84,550 and the 2017 income limit is $86,000.  All owners must be at least 65 years old (unless the owners are spouses or siblings, in which case at least one owner must be at least 65).

How do I register?
To register online: Go to www.tax.ny.gov/star
To register by phone: Call 518-457-2036 between 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri

If you register by July 1 to receive your check in September.  If you register after July 1, you will receive your check at a later date.

Senior Citizens Senior Citizen Exemption (income less than $18,500)

CLAYTON MAP VIEWER

The Map Viewer website allows the public to view parcels in the Town of Clayton and access zoning and assessment information, among other things.

JEFFERSON COUNTY PARCEL DATA

Jefferson County Real Property Tax Services assessment information is found on this site. This site will allow users to access the information commonly requested on parcels in Jefferson County, outside the City of Watertown. Current tax information and rates are available by clicking on Tax Info when viewing a specific parcel. To enter the site to begin your search, click on the “Public Access” tab.

ASSESSMENT LINKS