TAX ASSESSOR
**If you are considering a tax appeal, please contact the assessor first to discuss your assessment and before you respond to any solicitations offering to help you with an appeal.**
2012 Ratio: 67.18%
Common level range: 57.10 - 77.26
The Tax Assessor's office is responsible for valuation of all real property located within the Borough for the purpose of establishing a fair and equitable tax base.
Additional responsibilities:
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Processing all deeds
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200' property owners lists
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Maintaining & updating tax maps and tax lists
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Assigning property locations
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Adding subdivisions, etc. to the tax lists
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Inspection of all construction, renovations, etc., for tax purposes
Tax Appeals
Instructions for filing an appeal are detailed on the back of the green card you receive in the mail on or about February 1. Should you have any additional questions regarding your taxes, please visit Sussex County Board of Taxation.
The website references FAQ's, contact information for filing a tax appeal, deadline information (April 1st) and has a program which allows residents to search comparable properties with the municipality.
Sussex County Board of Taxation
Melissa Rockwell, Administrator
83 Spring Street, Suite 301
Newton, New Jersey 07860
Phone: 973-579-0970
Fax: 973-579-0977
If the assessed value of the property exceeds $1,000,000, you have the option of filing your appeal directly with:
Tax Court of New Jersey
Hughes Justice Complex
PO Box 972
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING FILING AN
APPEAL IN 2012, PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
·
YOU DO NOT FILE AN APPEAL OF YOUR
TAXES BUT OF YOUR
ASSESSMENT
·
YOU
MUST PROVE YOUR ASSESSMENT IS OUTSIDE THE COMMON LEVEL RANGE
(CHAPTER 123) BY VIRTUE OF
COMPARABLE SALES –
NOT OTHER ASSESSMENTS
AND NOT PROPERTIES CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET.
·
CHAPTER 123 RATIO /RANGE :
67.18 (57.10
to 77.26)
·
A LIST
OF ALL SALES WHICH TOOK PLACE IN LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP FROM 10/01/10 TO
10/31/11 IS ATTACHED –
YOU MAY ONLY USE USABLE
SALES DURING THE PERMITTED TIME FRAME OF 10/01/10 TO
10/01/11.
·
IF YOU
FILE AN APPEAL AND DO NOT SUBMIT THE APPROPRIATE COMPARABLES, THE
TAX ASSESSOR WILL NOT EXTEND ANY RECOMMENDATION OF
SETTLEMENT. YOU WILL BE
REQUIRED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SUSSEX COUNTY TAX BOARD AT A HEARING
IN/ABOUT END OF APRIL OR IN MAY, 2012 TO PRESENT YOUR CASE.
AGAIN, YOU CAN NOT RELY ON MARKET TRENDS AND/OR ANALYSIS,
LISTINGS OF PROPERTIES, SALES IN OTHER TOWNS, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES,
ETC.
YOU MUST RELY ON 3 VALID,
USABLE COMPARABLE SALES OF SIMILAR PROPERTIES WHICH SOLD 10/01/10 TO
10/01/11.
Answers to Frequently Asked Tax Questions...
How do I change the name on my deed?
A deed is an official document, recorded at the county level and a new deed has to be recorded to add or delete anyone from the official record of ownership. We recommend that you seek legal assistance from an attorney or a title company specializing in property transactions.
If you own the property as tenants by the entirety or as joint tenants with the right of survivorship, a new deed may not be necessary. Provide a copy of the death certificate and deed to the tax assessor for review.
When will I be billed for any improvements done to my property?
You will be sent a letter from the Assessor after the improvement has been issued a Certificate of Occupancy or is substantially completed. The letter will advise you of the additional assessed value due and what year(s) are involved. The new assessment will cause additional bill(s) to be issued. The bill called an added assessment bill will be sent out in October and due November 1st (4th qtr) of the current year and February 1st and May 1st of the following year. The added bull must be combined together with your original bill that was received in June. When the new bills are generated the following July, all taxes will be combined into one bill.
Questions? Maureen Kaman 973-827-9230 x 18