BLOG: Property Tax Appeal

Filing a Self-Represented Property Tax Appeal? Use Caution!

by: Jon Ferrari
27 May 2025
New Jersey property owners share a common challenge: high property taxes. However, there’s a glimmer of hope because property owners can appeal their assessments and potentially reduce their property taxes. While many hire attorneys to represent them through the tax appeal process, some choose to file without representation. What are the pros and cons of... Read More

Paterson Kicks 5.6% Proposed Tax Hike… For Now

by: Jon Ferrari
29 Apr 2025
It turns out that when a budget proposal includes a significant property tax increase, city residents are about as thrilled as a cat in a bathtub. The mayor of Paterson’s proposed 2025 budget of $302 million, which includes a 5.6% increase in property taxes, has faced opposition from City Council members and residents who believe... Read More

New Jerseyans, Expect Tax Policy Changes in 2026

by: Jon Ferrari
25 Apr 2025
Listen up, New Jerseyans! If you havenโ€™t heard yet, Governor Murphy unveiled his budget plan for 2026: a staggering $58.1 billion, the highest budget ever proposed in New Jerseyโ€™s history. To finance such a massive budget, the governor has recommended several revenue-raising measures, including tax policy changes. Some of these proposed changes may have implications... Read More

NJ Tax Court: Spent Nuclear Fuel isโ€ฆTaxable!

by: Michael Realbuto
21 Apr 2025
  Earlier this year, the N.J. Tax Court resolved an interesting case that intersected nuclear physics and private property rights. In a published opinion in Exelon Generation Co LLC, etc. v. Twp. of Lacey, the Court addressed a novel issue โ€œas to whether [nuclear fuel] storage casks are taxable as real property. Property that is... Read More

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide

by: Jon Ferrari
23 Jan 2025
Property tax assessments serve as the foundation for determining your property tax obligations. However, these assessments often fail to reflect the true market value of your property, potentially resulting in excessive taxation. When government valuations seem inaccurate, property owners have the legal right to appeal property tax assessment determinations through established procedural channels. The Fundamental... Read More

Understanding the Consequences of Unpaid Property Taxes in New Jersey

by: Jon Ferrari
20 Dec 2024
Unpaid property taxes in New Jersey can trigger a cascade of serious legal consequences for homeowners, potentially jeopardizing their property rights and financial stability. As experienced property tax lawyers near me frequently observe, municipalities have robust mechanisms to recover delinquent tax payments, including tax sales and liens. While property owners face strict quarterly payment obligations,... Read More

HCIA v. Mariana Properties – App Div Affirms Taking for Road Project

by: Joseph Grather
22 Nov 2024
The Appellate Division of the NJ Superior Court recently affirmed a trial court oral opinion by recently elevated and former Hudson County Assignment Judge Jeffrey Jablonski. The full opinion is available here a2686-22 HCIA Case.ย  The property owner’s counsel argued that the case should be dismissed because the condemnor failed to: 1) conduct bona fide... Read More

New Jersey Property Tax Relief: Ways to Save Thousands on Your Taxes

by: Jon Ferrari
29 Oct 2024
New Jersey property tax relief has become increasingly crucial as our state continues to bear the nation’s highest property tax burden. No Matter How Data Is Crunched, NJ Property Taxes Are Highest, NJBIA, Aug. 20, 2024. The situation has reached a critical point, with NJ Spotlight News reporting that the average annual property tax bill... Read More

Self-Represented Litigants Lose Challenge To Denial of Mansion Tax Refund

by: Jon Ferrari
Self-Represented Litigants Lose Challenge To Denial of Mansion Tax Refund
24 Sep 2024
Mansion tax plays a significant role in property transactions exceeding $1 million. This tax, which requires buyers to pay an additional 1% of the purchase price, has recently come under scrutiny in a notable Tax Court of New Jersey decision. The case of DePina v. Director, Division of Taxation has shed light on the strict... Read More

New Jersey Court Limits Third-Party Property Tax Challenge Rights

by: Michael Realbuto
12 Aug 2024
Property tax challenges in New Jersey have undergone significant changes following a recent Appellate Division ruling. The court’s decision clarifies important procedural pathways for taxpayers seeking to contest property tax assessments they believe are improper, especially when challenging properties they don’t own. Understanding the New Legal Landscape for Property Tax Challenges Last month, the New... Read More