Assessor

Assessor Contact Information

Sherry LaVancher
Town of LaFayette
2577 US Route 11
PO Box 193
LaFayette, NY 13084

Phone:
315-677-3420

Fax:
315-677-7806

E-mail: [email protected]

Hours:
Wednesdays only 10:00 am - 2:00 pm or call 315-677-3420 to schedule an appointment

Assessor:
The duties of the Assessor include placing an equitable value on each parcel in the Town and maintaining an inventory of all data related to the ownership and assessment of the parcels. The Assessor’s office also processes all exemption forms.

2025 Assessment Roll

FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE
Renewal applications for Senior Citizens Limited Income, Disability and Agriculture are mailed to property owners each fall. These renewal applications must be filled out and returned to my office, with all supporting documentation, as soon as possible but no later than March 1st. Applications received after this date will not be approved. You will be notified by mail if your exemption was denied or removed.

The above exemptions, except Agriculture are all income based and proof of income for all deeded owners must be submitted with each application. Your prior year Federal or State tax return is generally acceptable but all Social Security income received by you and your spouse must be listed on the return. The taxable portion of SS is not sufficient proof for the Limited Income and Disability exemptions.

If you are not required to file a tax return, 1099 earnings statements from Social Security, Unemployment, Banks (interest, dividends etc), IRA’s, Insurance, Investment, pension and annuity plans must be provided as proof of income. Unreimbursed medical/insurance costs are not recognized as allowable income deductions in the Town of Lafayette. Agriculture exemption applicants must verify income from farming operations or have a current lease in place with another farm operation who meets the income requirements.
The Basic STAR and Veteran’s exemptions do not have to be renewed annually. They remain in place as long as you continue to reside in the residence.

Basic STAR No Longer Filed with Assessor…
In 2016, the law changed regarding the BASIC STAR exemption. Instead of applying to your assessor for the exemption, you’ll now register with New York State for the STAR credit. If you are eligible, you will receive a STAR credit in the form of a check. The dollar value of the credit will generally be the same as the property tax exemption. You can register online or by phone; visit Register for the STAR credit or call 518-457-2036.

Enhanced STAR
Overview for Enhanced STAR CHANGES FOR 2026:
Changes Beginning in 2026, the process for applying for the New York Enhanced STAR benefit will be simplified and automated for most seniors. Starting then, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF)
Will automatically verify eligibility for existing Basic STAR exemption recipients as they age into the Enhanced STAR program.

Key changes for 2026
Automatic upgrades: Seniors already receiving the Basic STAR exemption who become eligible for Enhanced STAR will be automatically upgraded by the NYSDTF. They will no longer need to apply directly with their local assessor.

Reduced paperwork:
The state will verify income eligibility for Enhanced STAR recipients annually, eliminating the need for seniors to file renewal or submit income tax returns to their local assessor each year
This is ONLY FOR ENHANCED STAR (NOT SENIOR CITIZEN EXEMPTION RP 467 OR RP 467 RENEWAL)

Income verification program (VIP):
This change expands and standardizes the income Verification Program. The NYSDTF uses your Social Security number to automatically check if your income falls below the limit.

Effective immediately, all homeowners must apply for the STAR program and direct any STAR-related questions only through the contacts listed below:
Online: Use the Homeowner Benefit Portal at:
STAR resource center
Phone: Call 518 457-2036

To be routed to the NYS Office of Real Property please click the link below:
Property Owners can retrieve exemption forms from the Real Property website link below.
NYS Office of Real Property

You may call the Assessor's office at (315) 677-3420 with any questions. If you leave a message with a phone number your call will be returned.