Frequently Asked Questions

We are able to assist you more efficiently if you schedule an appointment with the Tax Assessor. Please call 973-694-6100 ext. 7115.

Land and building assessments cannot be appealed separately.

A tax appeal is not an appeal of your tax bill. The amount of taxes you pay is never an issue during an appeal because neither the Tax Assessor nor County Tax Board has control over budgets submitted by municipalities, schools, counties or fire districts.

No. The municipality cannot accept tax appeals. Your appeal form should be filed with the County Tax Board or Tax Court as the case may be.

The filing deadline is April 1 of the tax year in question. Filed means that the appeal form must be received on or before April 1. Date of mailing is not used in determining whether an appeal is timely.

No. Comparable assessments are not acceptable evidence of the value of your property. You should submit at least 3 recent comparable sales of other properties of a similar type in the same neighborhood.

Assessments cannot be avoided by delaying issuance of a certificate of occupancy. If the building is substantially complete it is subject to assessment.

Payment of first quarter taxes and other municipal charges (e.g., water, sewer, etc.) is a prerequisite to the appeal process. Your appeal will not be accepted unless taxes and other municipal charges are paid.

We will attempt to resolve discrepancies by stipulation if ethically possible. A settlement stipulation completed sufficiently in advance of a scheduled hearing will serve to avoid an unnecessary appearance before the County Tax Board. However, if the assessment is defensible in our opinion, we will provide you with the evidence that supports our position.