Town of Skaneateles - Real Property Tax Exemption Administration (2018M-173)

Issued Date
November 16, 2018

Audit Objective

Determine whether the Town Assessor properly administered select real property tax exemptions.

Key Findings

  • We reviewed 125 agricultural, senior citizens and veterans exemptions and found 84 (67 percent) lacked adequate supporting documentation (e.g., applications, renewal forms, income support and military records) to verify eligibility.

Key Recommendations

The Assessor should:

  • Ensure all applicants provide adequate supporting documentation before granting exemptions.
  • Maintain documentation to support eligibility for all exemptions granted.
  • Ensure previously granted exemptions are supported and continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Town officials agreed with our findings and indicated they plan to initiate corrective action.