MISSION STATEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT
(DofA)
The mission of the Tompkins County Department of Assessment is:
-
to yearly assess properties at uniform percentage of fair market value in order to equitably distribute the tax burden amongst the taxable properties within Tompkins County,
-
to administer real property tax exemptions as provided by the New York State Real Property Tax Law.
-
educate the general public about Real Property Assessment Adminstration.
The Tompkins County Department of Assessment does NOT:
-
determine the amount of taxes that an individual property will pay (a combination of assessment and tax levy does that),
-
advocate for any real property tax exemptions (DofA will administer any exemptions mandated by the NYSRPTL or allowed by local option),
-
have any assessment be influenced by any political entity (The DofA is totally independent - all employees of the DofA are civil servants and do not serve at the whim of any political body).
-
value property based upon names or ability to pay taxes (market value dictates how properties are valued).