Tax Assessment Appeals

TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS

TAX APPEALS MUST BE FILED BY APRIL 1ST. YOU MUST PAY YOUR
TAXES TO BE HEARD. IF YOUR TOWN DID A REVALUATION, THE APPEAL
DATE WILL PROBABLY BE EXTENDED.
THE TAX BOARD IS A COURT. YOUR OPINION DOES NOT COUNT. YOU
WILL NEED AN APPRAISAL BY A STATE LICENSED REAL ESTATE
APPRAISER. THE COST FOR AN APPRAISAL IS ABOUT $500. A LETTER
FROM A BROKER IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
YOU CANNOT USE THE ASSESSMENT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY
AS PROOF OF THE VALUE OF YOURS. BOTH MAY BE INACCURATE.
THE ASSESSMENT IS THE FULL FAIR MARKET VALUE AS OF OCTOBER
1ST OF THE PRIOR YEAR.
YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE INSURED
YOUR HOME FOR AND ITS COST PLUS A LIST OF FIX-UP COSTS. THE
TAX BOARD IS NOT LIKELY TO LOWER YOUR ASSESSMENT BELOW
THESE NUMBERS.
NEW JERSEY REALIZES THAT ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT AN EXACT
SCIENCE. CHAPTER 123 OF THE LAWS OF 1973 SAYS THAT IF YOUR
ASSESSMENT IS NOT OFF BY MORE THAN 15%, THE TAX BOARD
CANNOT CHANGE IT.
MY FIRM GENERALLY CHARGES $750 FOR A RESIDENTIAL TAX APPEAL.
YOU MUST ALSO PAY THE APPRAISER'S FEE.
IF WE SETTLE OR WIN, YOUR TAXES ARE GENERALLY LOWERED FOR AT
LEAST THREE YEARS.

Compliments of:
Law Offices of Joseph M. Hoffmann
Attorney at Law
21 Main Street
Newton, New Jersey 07860
973-383-7415
Fax: 973-383-7476