Houghtaling & Downey Bill to Better Inform Taxpayers of Property Tax Appeal Dealines Becomes Law

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling to ensure homeowners who want to appeal their property taxes are aware of the appeal deadline was signed into law Friday.

“Property tax appeals are a crucial aspect of tax fairness, because they help ensure that homeowners are being assessed fairly,” said Assemblyman Houghtaling (D-Monmouth), “But homeowners are often not aware of their appeal deadline. This simple step will raise awareness of deadlines and hopefully ensure those who want to can take advantage of the appeal process.”

The law (A-544) requires the statutory notice of annual assessment, usually mailed in late January, to contain the deadline to file an appeal of the assessment in boldface type. Since the notice of assessment does not require any immediate action by a property taxpayer, the consequences of the notice on the amount of subsequent tax bills often passes largely unnoticed until well after the appeal deadline of April 1st.

“This is a great common-sense measure, and it is even more pertinent for homeowners in Monmouth County who are under the Assessment Demonstration Program,” said Assemblywoman Downey (D-Monmouth), “Taxpayers under this pilot tax program are subject to a different schedule where appeals are due much earlier in the year. This measure will go a long way toward improving awareness of that appeal deadline.”

The bolded notice is intended to remind property taxpayers of the quickly approaching filing deadline for appeals so that they don't lose their opportunity to file an appeal before the deadline.