Brooklyn Homeowners: How to Challenge Your Property Tax Assessment and Save Thousands

Lower Your Brooklyn Property Taxes — The Smart Way

For many Brooklyn homeowners, the property tax bill that arrives each year feels like a mystery—and an expensive one at that. If you’ve ever looked at that number and thought, “This seems too high,” you’re not alone.

I’m Peter Mancini with Pen Realty, a proud member of REBNY and BNYMLS, and I’m here to demystify the process. Whether you're in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Park Slope, or beyond — you can take steps to lower your property taxes, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through how.

🧾 Step 1: Understand How Your Property Tax Is Calculated

The NYC Department of Finance calculates your bill based on the assessed value of your home — a number determined by:

• Square footage

• Property condition

• Location

• Recent comparable sales

That value is then multiplied by your property class’s tax rate to create your bill. The problem? That assessed value is often inflated — especially in rapidly changing neighborhoods.

🚨 Step 2: Look for Over assessment

Over-assessments are more common than you'd think. If your neighbors in similar homes are paying less, or if the city’s valuation is based on outdated data, you may be paying thousands more than you should.

Use the NYC Property Tax System to look up your assessed value, then compare it to local comps. Not sure how? At Pen Realty, we do this analysis for our clients at no charge.

✍️ Step 3: File a Property Tax Appeal (Grievance)

If you spot an error, you can challenge the assessment through the NYC Tax Commission. Filing usually happens between January 15 and March 1, depending on your property class.

You’ll need:

• Proof of market value (comparative sales data, appraisals)

• Documentation of any errors or changes

• A concise, factual explanation of your claim

For many homeowners, this process results in a significant reduction — and it’s worth revisiting each year.

🎯 Step 4: Claim Every Exemption You Qualify For

Brooklyn homeowners may be eligible for exemptions that directly reduce your bill:

• STAR Program (for primary residences)

• Senior Citizen Homeowners’ Exemption

• Veterans Exemption

• Disability Exemption

Check the NYC DOF Exemption Guide or contact us and we’ll help assess your eligibility.

💰 Step 5: Get Expert Help (Without the Headache)

Don’t want to go it alone? That’s where I come in. With experience navigating these appeals and deep knowledge of local valuation trends, I’ll help ensure you're paying only what’s fair.

At Pen Realty, we provide homeowners with:

• A personalized assessment review

• Guidance on exemptions

• Filing support and market data

• Help with appeals or corrections

Because this isn’t just about saving money — it’s about making Brooklyn homeownership sustainable and smart.

🧠 Next Steps

✔️ Download the full Brooklyn Seller's Guide
✔️ Book your free property tax review at penrealty.net
✔️ Follow @pmpenrealty on Instagram for local insights and updates

💜 Give Back with CaringKind NYC

This blog post is part of A Signature Experience — my mission to serve the Brooklyn community with compassion and knowledge.

If you're able, please consider donating to dementia care and research through CaringKind NYC. It's a cause deeply personal to my family — and every dollar makes a difference.