STUDY GUIDE
100 QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Which NYC agency is primarily responsible for administering the
city's tax revenue laws, including real property assessment?
A. Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
B. Department of Finance (DOF)
C. Tax Commission
D. Department of Buildings (DOB)
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Department of Finance (DOF)
Rationale: The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) administers the city's
tax revenue laws and is responsible for valuing more than one million
properties. DCAS administers the civil service exam process, the Tax
Commission hears assessment appeals, and DOB issues building
permits.
2. Under NYC's property tax system, how many main tax classes are
there?
A. Two classes
B. Four classes
C. Six classes
D. Eight classes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Four classes
,Rationale: RPTL §1802 establishes four tax classes for New York City:
Class 1 (1–3 family residential), Class 2 (4+ unit residential, co-ops,
condos), Class 3 (utility property), and Class 4 (commercial, industrial,
and all other property).
3. What is NYC's taxable status date for determining property
condition and exemption eligibility?
A. March 1
B. January 5
C. July 1
D. December 31
CORRECT ANSWER: B. January 5
Rationale: Under RPTL §302 and the NYC Administrative Code, NYC
operates on a taxable status date of January 5. Property ownership,
physical condition, and exemption eligibility are determined as of that
date each year.
4. How often does New York City reassess properties?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every four years
D. Only when a property is sold
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Every year
Rationale: NYC reassesses properties annually. The tentative assessment
roll is issued in January, and property owners receive their Notice of
Property Value (NOPV) at that time.
,5. What is the assessment ratio for Class 1 residential properties in
NYC?
A. 6% of market value
B. 20% of market value
C. 45% of market value
D. 100% of market value
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 6% of market value
Rationale: Class 1 properties (1–3 family homes) are assessed at 6% of
market value. Class 2 and Class 4 properties are assessed at 45% of
market value.
6. Which NYC property tax class includes co-ops, condos, and rental
apartment buildings with more than three units?
A. Class 1
B. Class 2
C. Class 3
D. Class 4
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Class 2
Rationale: Class 2 includes all residential property with more than three
units, including co-ops, condos, and rental apartment buildings. Class 1
covers one- to three-family homes.
7. What is the maximum annual assessment increase cap for Class 2
properties?
A. 2%
B. 6%
, C. 8%
D. 10%
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 8%
Rationale: Class 2 properties are capped at 8% per year and 30% over
five years. Class 1 properties are capped at 6% per year and 20% over
five years.
8. Which valuation approach is most directly based on recent sales of
comparable properties?
A. Cost approach
B. Income capitalization approach
C. Sales comparison approach
D. Residual approach
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sales comparison approach
Rationale: The sales comparison approach analyzes recent sales of
comparable properties and adjusts for relevant differences. It is most
reliable when there are numerous recent sales of similar properties.
9. Under the cost approach, an assessor primarily considers:
A. Land value plus the depreciated cost of improvements
B. Gross rent multiplied by a capitalization rate
C. Only the property's recent sale price
D. The owner's mortgage balance
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Land value plus the depreciated cost of
improvements