New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S3968

Introduced
6/15/23  

Caption

Concerns certain real property assessment appeals.

Impact

One of the critical effects of S3968 is the removal of the so-called 'freeze' provision that historically prevented municipalities from adjusting property assessments once a tax appeal judgment was rendered. By amending laws R.S.54:3-26 and R.S.54:51A-8, the bill ensures that if municipalities undertake a comprehensive reassessment or annual review that achieves 100% alignment to market values, it will terminate the binding effect of earlier judgments. This change is expected to provide municipalities with greater flexibility in property tax assessments, potentially allowing them to better reflect real property values and distribute tax liabilities more equitably among taxpayers.

Summary

S3968 introduces amendments to the laws governing tax appeal judgments concerning real property assessments within municipalities in New Jersey. This legislation primarily aims to clarify and revise the existing frameworks under which tax appeal judgments are deemed conclusive and binding upon municipal assessors and taxing districts. A significant change proposed by this bill is the enhancement of the provisions relating to property assessments, particularly in instances where a complete reassessment or district-wide review is underway to align property values with current market assessments.

Contention

While the bill offers clear advantages for tax fairness and more responsive municipal assessment practices, it has also sparked some debate. Opponents may raise concerns that the revisions could inadvertently lead to higher taxes for some properties post-reassessment, especially for those that have benefited from previous judgments that kept assessments artificially low. Furthermore, there may be apprehensions about the financial impacts on local governments and taxpayers who could face longer adjustment periods while revaluation processes are integrated into the system.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

NJ S1117

Limits increase of assessed value of property subject to appeal judgment following implementation of reassessment.

NJ S1670

Limits increase of assessed value of property subject to appeal judgment following implementation of reassessment.

NJ A1007

Requires municipalities to notify affected property owners before implementing compliance plan to reassess valuation of certain properties.

NJ A851

Requires municipalities to notify affected property owners before implementing compliance plan to reassess valuation of certain properties.

NJ S2519

Requires municipalities to notify affected property owners before implementing compliance plan to reassess valuation of certain properties.

NJ S1356

Requires municipalities to notify affected property owners before implementing compliance plan to reassess valuation of certain properties.

PA HB1631

Repealing provisions relating to the imposition of a personal property tax, powers of commissioners, duties and powers of the board of revision of taxes or county commissioners, certification of returns, offenses of assessor, filing of a return, fixed day of listing and return, penalties for inaccurate return, petition for reassessment, duties of executors and administrators, rules and regulations, offenses of assessor, taxable person or members business entities, duties of recorder of deeds, duties of the prothonotary or clerk of the court of common pleas, further duties of board of revision of taxes or county commissioners on statement of mortgages owed and satisfied and statement of number and amount of mortgages, duties of assessors, valuation subject to appeal, failure to carry out duties, recorders of deeds and prothonotaries payment, usury, interest and repeals; and prohibiting a political subdivision from levying a tax on the ownership, holding or the possession of personal property, including intangible personal property, within this Commonwealth.

NJ S3967

Revises process of filing real property assessment appeals.