Center Moriches Taxpayers Community Discussion Forum

UP IN ARMS

Why Long Island taxpayers generate the bulk of the state's tax assessment challenges taken to courtHIGH RATES In 2007, Nassau ranked fourth in the nation in percentage of household income going to property taxes. Suffolk ranked 11th.

DECLINING PROPERTY VALUES A fall in housing prices has prompted many homeowners to seek reductions in assessments. The region's median price has dropped more than 20 percent since peaking in the summer of 2007.

PUBLICITY The push for lower taxes has spawned a growing industry of firms that appeal assessments on behalf of homeowners, in return for a share of the savings. Such firms often advertise heavily. Mark Lewis, whose Centereach tax-grievance firm bears his name, says he sends out 500,000 mailings six times a year. "The last two years have been tremendous - more than we can handle," he added.