What is The Statewide Small Claims Assessment Review “SCAR” Hearing Officer Program?
The Unified Court System Statewide Small Claims Assessment Review “SCAR” Hearing Officer Program is responsible for facilitating the Chief Administrative Judge’s appointment of SCAR Hearing officers, to ensure an adequate number of qualified officers are available on the SCAR Hearing Officer Panel of each Judicial District.
Who is a SCAR Hearing Officer?
A SCAR Hearing Officer is a hearing officer appointed by the Chief Administrative Judge, pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 731, to conduct an informal evidentiary hearing on a petition to review an assessment of certain owner-occupied property, where the property owner and a representative of the assessing unit appear and give evidence.
Find how to become a SCAR Hearing Officer Here.
What is a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR)?
The Small Claims Assessment Review is a procedure that provides property owners with an opportunity to challenge the assessment on their real property as determined by the Board of Assessment Review (in counties outside Nassau and NYC) or the Assessment Review Commission (Nassau County) or the New York City Tax Commission (NYC), by filing a SCAR Petition.
It is a less costly and more informal alternative to a formal Tax Certiorari proceeding, which can be time consuming and expensive. As outlined in Section 730 of the Real Property Tax Law, property owners may petition the court for review of their property assessment before a specially trained hearing officer for a nominal fee of $30.
Find how to file a SCAR Petition here.
Contact Us:
Donna J. Dobson
212-428-2120
Mail:
Statewide SCAR Hearing Officer Program
Office of Court Administration
25 Beaver Street
New York, NY 10004