Search Buffalo Property Tax Records
Buffalo property tax records are maintained by both the city and Erie County. The City of Buffalo Assessment and Taxation Department handles property values and tax billing within city limits. Erie County Real Property Tax Services provides an additional layer of records and search tools. You can search Buffalo property tax records online through the city's property search tool or the county RPTS portal. Both systems are free. Assessment data, tax bills, ownership details, and sales records are all part of the public record and accessible to anyone.
Buffalo Overview
Buffalo Assessment and Taxation Department
The City of Buffalo Assessment and Taxation Department is the main office for property tax records in Buffalo. The assessor's office is at 101 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call (716) 851-5733 for questions. This department appraises all real estate in the city and sets the assessed value for each parcel. They also process tax bills, handle payment plans, and take homestead exemption applications.
Buffalo runs its own assessment system, separate from the other towns in Erie County. The city publishes a yearly final assessment roll that you can view through both the city and county portals. If you disagree with your assessed value, the city handles the appeal process. Property tax appeals start with the assessor's office and can move to the Board of Assessment Review if needed.
The city also tracks property sales. You can look up commercial and residential sales records through the city site. This data helps when you want to compare your assessed value to what similar properties have actually sold for in Buffalo.
Erie County Property Tax Records for Buffalo
The Erie County Department of Real Property Tax Services is at 95 Franklin Street, Room 100, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call (716) 858-8333 for help. The county maintains property tax and assessment records for all of Erie County, including the City of Buffalo. You can search by owner name or property address to pull up assessment details, tax amounts, and payment history.
Through the county portal, you can also view the City of Buffalo yearly final assessment roll. This is the official record of every parcel's assessed value after all grievances have been resolved. The county site links to foreclosure sale info for delinquent properties in Buffalo as well. If a property owner falls far enough behind on taxes, the city can take the property through an In-Rem foreclosure process and auction it off.
The Erie County Clerk handles recorded documents like deeds, mortgages, and liens. The clerk's office is at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Phone is (716) 858-8785. If you need to trace ownership history or find a recorded deed for a Buffalo property, start with the county clerk. Their online search covers the full range of land records on file.
Search Buffalo Property Tax Records Online
The City of Buffalo Property Search tool lets you look up any parcel within city limits. Search by name, address, or bill number. The system shows assessment details and tax bill information. For a map-based approach, the city's GIS portal provides an interactive map with parcel boundaries and assessment data.
Erie County also has a property search tool that covers Buffalo and all other municipalities in the county. Search by address or owner name. The county system ties into the New York State Real Property System, so the data fields are consistent with what you see at the state level. Both the city and county tools are free and do not require you to create an account.
Note: The Rath Building at 25 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202 houses several Erie County offices. The general contact number is (716) 858-7500.
Buffalo Property Tax Foreclosure Sales
When property taxes go unpaid long enough in Buffalo, the city can move to foreclose. The In-Rem foreclosure auction puts delinquent properties up for sale. These sales happen periodically, with results posted on the city website. If you are interested in buying a tax-foreclosed property or want to check if a specific parcel is at risk, the city's foreclosure page is the place to look.
The process starts with the city sending notices to delinquent owners. After a redemption period, properties that remain unpaid go on the auction list. Sale results are public. This is also relevant for property tax records research, since a lien or foreclosure history shows up in the records tied to that parcel. It can affect title and future sales.
Property Tax Exemptions in Buffalo
Buffalo residents can apply for several exemptions to lower their tax bill. The STAR program cuts school taxes for owner-occupied homes. Basic STAR is open to all, while Enhanced STAR adds a bigger break for seniors with qualifying income. Apply through the city assessor's office or the state tax department.
Veterans get exemptions under RPTL Section 458-a based on service history. Senior citizen exemptions use a sliding scale tied to income under RPTL Section 467. Disabled homeowners and nonprofit organizations may also qualify for partial or full exemptions. All applications need to be filed before the deadline, typically March 1. The assessor's office at City Hall can walk you through the forms and requirements.
State Resources for Buffalo Property Tax Records
The Office of Real Property Tax Services provides state-level oversight for property tax administration in Buffalo and all of New York. ORPTS sets equalization rates, certifies assessors, and administers STAR. The NYS Tax Data Portal has statewide property tax trends and data you can download.
The SalesWeb database tracks property sales in Erie County going back ten years. Data comes from RP-5217 transfer reports. You can filter by municipality to see just Buffalo transactions. This is free and open to the public. Updates happen weekly, so recent sales may take a few days to appear.
County Page
Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County. Visit the Erie County page for more on county-level property tax records, the RPTS office, and the county clerk's land records.
Nearby Cities
Looking for property tax records in cities near Buffalo? These pages may help: