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1. Where is the Department of Assessment located and what are the hours of operation?

The Town's Assessors Office is located at Town Hall at 200 East Sunrise Highway in Lindenhurst. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The phone number is (631) 957-3014. 

 Please check the Assessor's Forms & Documents page to view the applications, forms and documents that are currently available online for the Assessor's Office. 

2. What does the Town Assessor do?

The Town's Department of Assessment is responsible for placing an assessment on each parcel of land in the town for the purpose of equalization of the tax base. The divisions in the Assessment Department are:

• Assessment
• Assessment Roll
• Apportionment
• Exemption and Information

3. What are the functions of the Department of Assessment?

The Department of Assessment locates property and inventory data, tracks ownership of all property in the town, places value on property, processes exemptions, prepares and creates the assessment roll, prepares and submits reports to the New York State Office of Real Property Services and assists the public by providing information with regard to all of the above.

4. How do you arrive at my assessment?

To arrive at your assessment, we use The J.M. Cleminshaw Co. Cost To Construct Manual. The assessment is based on square footage and any amenities that may contribute value to your home.

5. Are there any programs that can help lower my taxes?

Yes, you may be eligible for a property tax exemption. To inquire about the various property tax exemptions that are available to those residents who meet the New York State requirements, please contact the Department of Assessment at (631) 957-3014. 

An informational booklet, Do You Qualify for a Property Tax Exemption in the Town of Babylon? can also be downloaded. It contains general requirements with descriptions of the most common exemptions. 

6. How do I apply for the STAR exemption?

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. Visit  New York State Department of Taxation and Finance or call (518) 457-2036 to register. Residents of the Town of Babylon can apply for the Enhanced STAR exemption (if you received a STAR exemption on this property for the 2015/2016 tax year) and other property tax exemptions between December 1st and March 1st through the Department of Assessment. The first-time application for Enhanced Star is available online or can be obtained from the Assessor’s Office in Town Hall from December 1st to March 1st. Please keep in mind that the deadline for filing applications is March 1st. If you have any questions, contact the Department of Assessment at (631) 957-3014.

7. Why was the Basic STAR Exemption removed from my tax bill?

If the total combined income of all owners and spouses residing on the premises is more than or equal to $250,000 you no longer qualify for the exemption. New York State will automatically enroll you in the STAR Credit program as long as your income is below $500,000.

8. How do I obtain a Suffolk County Tax Map Number or Item Number?

The Suffolk County Tax Number or Item Number can found on the tax bill. Any questions, call the Assessor's Office, (631) 957-3014.

9. How can I determine the school district of a property?

The school district information can be found on the tax bill. Any questions, call the Assessor's Office, (631) 957-3014.

10. Why do taxes vary on similar looking houses?

There are numerous reasons why taxes vary from property to property. Several reasons could be:

• A property owner may have filed a grievance or a small claims petition granting a reduction in the assessed value.


• The overall condition of the property, location, square footage, lot size, amenities and school district.


• A property owner may have applied for and been granted a property tax exemption which will reduce the overall property taxes.

11. Why are my property taxes so high?

A property’s tax rate is determined by many variables and taxing districts including school, county police, lighting, and village districts. In most cases, the largest portion of the tax bill is the school district tax. This tax is determined by the school budget voted on by the residents in that district.

12. When can I expect a reduction in my tax bill as a result of my small claims?

If a property owner was awarded a reduction on their assessed value due to the filing of a small claims petition, that reduction would generally be reflected in the property tax bill. If that reduction occurred later in the year, then the second half of the tax bill (in May) will be adjusted to reflect the adjustment. If it is too late to adjust the second half of the bill, Suffolk County will issue a refund directly to the property owner.

For more specific information, contact the Town Assessor’s Subject Matter Expert at (631) 957-4272.

13. Why are my property taxes higher this year?

There are many reasons why taxes increase year to year, including:

• An increase in the tax rate of a particular taxing district


• An increase in a property's assessed value


• An exemption that had been previously applied to a property may have expired or the applicant may have failed to renew the exemption


• New owners may not qualify for present exemptions on a property

The Town Assessor's Office will be able to determine the specific reason for the tax increase on a specific property. They can be reached at (631) 957-3014.