Property Tax Appeals
It’s no secret that New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the country. Spector Foerst & Associates has been assisting families in real estate property tax appeals for more than a decade.
Whether you feel your assessment is too high, or you believe a decline in market value hasn’t been reflected in your tax bill, ask us about a complimentary review and consultation to determine your eligibility for a property tax appeal today.
Property taxes rise as the result of the local budget process. While your property taxes may not be appealed, your property’s tax assessment may be challenged through a proceeding known as a Tax Appeal. A taxpayer considering an appeal should understand that he/she must prove that his/her assessed value is “unreasonable” under the law. By law, your current assessment is assumed to be correct; you must overcome this presumption of correctness to get your assessment changed. The best way to achieve that result is by hiring expert legal representation to present your case and, if necessary, bringing a lawsuit to achieve the greatest savings.
The deadline to file a property tax appeal is April 1st. Don’t miss your chance to reduce your property tax bill. Please complete our complimentary preliminary assessment form for a free email evaluation.
If you have been referred for advanced review or we requested additional detail to more fully evaluate your case, please complete the advanced assessment form. Note you will be prompted after imputing the information to enter your credit card information and pay the expert review fee required by our outside valuation experts. Your case will not be referred for advanced review without payment of this fee. Contact us for assistance today.
The Process
Generally speaking, tax appeals must be filed annually on or before April 1st or within 45 days of the mailing of the municipal assessment notice, whichever is later. In a revaluation year, this deadline will most likely be extended in May.
As the taxpayer, the burden is on you to prove that your assessment is in error, unreasonable, excessive, or discriminatory. You must suggest a more appropriate value by proving to the County Tax Board the true value of the property as of October 1 of the pretax year. To proceed with an appeal, all taxes and municipal charges must be paid in full and must be kept current during the appeals process. Any taxes or assessments in arrears may cause your appeal to be dismissed.
To ensure success, a party must be persuasive and present credible evidence of the claimed value of the property. Credible evidence is supported by fact, not simply assumptions or beliefs. Factual evidence concerning special circumstances is necessary and is best presented through legal representation and expert appraisal testimony.
Spector Foerst & Associates offers a totally free initial consultation to determine your eligibility for a property tax appeal. Call us today and with some basic information and a few minutes of your time, we can determine the likelihood of successfully reducing your tax bill.
How can we help?
We welcome you to schedule a meeting or consultation with us by filling out the form below, or calling us directly at
(973) 258-9200
The information and materials on this Web site are provided for general informational purposes only, and are not intended to be legal advice. We attempt to provide quality information, but the law changes frequently, and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The information and materials provided are general in nature, and may not apply to a specific factual or legal circumstance. An attorney and client relationship should not be implied. Nothing on this Web site is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney; therefore, if you require legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.