Welcome
Town of Lancaster Assessor’s Office
2026 Reassessment Project Information
Assessor's Office Information
Erik Finbar, SCA
Assessor
e-mail: efinbar@lancasterny.gov
Nancy Carlon, Real Property Appraiser
e-mail: ncarlon@lancasterny.gov
21 Central Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
All informal reviews have been reviewed and letter have been sent out to property owners who participated in the informal review process. If you did not receive a new letter, please contact our office.
GRIEVANCE DAY INSTRUCTIONS
Board of Assesment Review
If a property owner is dissatisfied with their assesssment, they may appeal to the Board of Assessment Review on Grievance Day - Tuesday, June 2nd (other days will be available if all these appointments fill up) from 11 am - 8 pm; with a break for the board between 4 - 5. To file an appeal, a compint form (NYS for RP-524) must be completed and filed with the assessor's office. Complaint forms are available with the assessor's office or to the left under forms. Once we receive the completed form, an appointment will be scheduled.
You can submit the completed form in person at our office, drop it in the town drop box or by mail. NO email's will be accepted. Please indiciate on the top of the completed form if you would like an appointment. Once we receive the completed form, you will receive a call from our office to schedule an appointment.
You also have an option for a mail-in review (non-hearing). Complete the NYS RP-524 form; submit the form along with any supporting doumentation to the assessor's office by 4 pm on Tuesday, June 2nd.
All decisions will be mailed by July 1, 2026. NO decisions will be made at the time of the hearing.
Exemptions
STAR
If you purchased a new home in 2015 to present:
New STAR applicants will receive a credit in the form of a check directly from NYS instead of receiving a school property tax exemption. The amount of your STAR benefit is the same regardless of how you receive it.
You need to register with the New York State Tax Department to receive a STAR check. Register at www.tax.ny.gov or call (518)-457-2036 for further information.
Any resident who has owned their property prior to 2015 will still receive the exemption off of your tax bill.
Enhanced STAR
*NEW* Homeowners do not need to register with the Assessor's Office for Enhanced Star. The Office of Real Property Services will notify assessors of Basic Star recipients who become eligible for the Enhanced Star (rather than requiring seniors to apply to the assessor's office). To qualify for the 2026 school year, you will have to be 65 by December 31, 2026 and your 2025 income cannot be over $110,750 adjusted.
The following exemptions will be administered by the Assessor's Office. The deadline for ALL of the exemptions listed below is March 1st.
Low Income Senior (yearly renewal)
Must be turning 65 by the end of 2025 and income must be at or below the following limits:
$37,399 (gross) for the Town, County and Village of Depew
$29,700 (gross) for the Village of Lancaster
Veteran's (no renewal required)
Alternative Exemtion - active duty during wartime period or
Cold War Veteran Exemption - dates of serice 9/4/45 to 12/26/91
A DD214 is required for these exemptions
Disability Exemption (renewal required)
Award letter from Social Security is required
Income must be at or below the following limits:
Town of Lancaster $35,400 (gross)
Erie County $32,400 (gross)
Village of Lancaster $35,400 (gross)
Village of Depew $24,600 (gross)
Agricultural and Clergy (renewal required)
Contact assessor's office for additional information
All of the exemption forms are available under the Form Tab to your left
Any questions regarding exemptions, please contact our office.
Links
https://www.tax.ny.gov/research/property/default.htm
The Real Facts to Know About Assessments