The Town of Forestburgh’s increase in taxes for the current 2026 School Tax year, as well as the upcoming 2027 County Tax year, is attributable to several factors affecting the Town’s overall taxable assessment and the manner in which the tax levy is apportioned among property owners.
- Court-Ordered Assessment Reductions
There have been several significant court-ordered reductions in assessed values pursuant to Article 7 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law. These reductions have resulted in a reduction of the Town’s overall taxable assessment and, consequently, a reduction in the amount of taxable value available to support the applicable municipal and school tax levies.
When taxable assessed value is reduced, the required tax levy does not necessarily decrease proportionately. The Town must still raise the revenues necessary to meet its budgetary obligations. As a result, when the overall taxable assessment is reduced, the remaining taxable properties must bear a greater share of the applicable tax levy. This directly affects the apportionment of taxes and may result in increased taxes for individual property owners.
- Current Market Values
Properties throughout the County continue to sell for values substantially higher than their current assessed values. These sales demonstrate a continued disparity between the assessed values of properties and their actual market values.
The assessment and apportionment of real property taxes are affected by these differences in value. As property values and the overall tax base change, the proportion of the tax levy allocated among individual properties must likewise be adjusted. Consequently, changes in the relative value of properties within the Town and County can result in an increased tax obligation for individual property owners, even where there has not been a corresponding increase in the assessed value of their particular property.