TAX ASSESSOR

General Duties:
The Assessor’s office provides information on the assessed valuation of real property, the current sales ratio for the municipality, and improvements to your property which may affect valuation.

The Assessor’s Office also directs Municipal-wide re-evaluations and re-assessments when they occur.

Property Tax Deduction for Veterans or Surviving Spouses:
Applications are available for those who qualify for veteran, senior citizen, and disabled person deductions, surviving spouses or surviving civil union partner of one who was qualified.  All qualifications must be met in order for the deduction to be granted.  Surviving spouses or domestic partners may continue to receive the deduction provided that all eligibility requirements are met.  Please see the Tax Collectors site for the link.

General Information
Tax assessment appeals may be filed between January 1 and April 1.  Forms are available at the tax office upon request, or they may be obtained from the County Tax Board.

Monmouth County Board of Taxation
Hall of Records
1 E Main St
Freehold, NJ 07728

(732) 431-7404

2008 NEW JERSEY PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS

Senior Citizen’s Annual Property Tax Deduction

Annual deduction of $250.00 from property taxes for homeowners age 65 or older, or disabled, who meet income and residency requirements.  You must be age 65 (or disabled) on or before October 1st of the prior year.  Property must be your principal residence.  Annual income limit of $10,000.  Up to $25,456 of income excludable from Social Security or State/Federal/Military/Railroad pension.  Applications are available at the municipal tax office.  You must verify your income annually.  You must provide a copy of your proof of age.  Call us at (732) 223-2292 ext 239 with any questions.

           
Veteran’s/Widow of Veteran’s Deduction

Annual deduction of $250.00 from property taxes to qualified veterans or surviving spouses.  You must have been in the service during active wartime/peacekeeping periods.  Applications are available at the municipal tax office.  You must provide a copy of your DD-214 (Service record and discharge).  Call us at (732) 223-2292 ext 239 with any questions.

           
Property Tax Reimbursement (Tax Freeze) Program

You must be age 65 or older or disabled as of December 31st of the prior year.  You must have been a resident of New Jersey since at least January 1, 1997.  You must have owned and occupied the property as your primary residence since at least January 1, 2004.  You must provide a copy of your proof of age.  Income limits for 2006 are:  Single $43,693  Married $53,576.  Income limits for 2007 are:  Single $45,135  Married $55,344.  Once you are accepted into the program, the State of New Jersey mails you a rebate when your taxes increase above your base year.  Information is available online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm.  To ask questions call 1-877-225-1312.  To check the status of a filed application call 1-800-882-6597.  To hear pre-recorded information or to order an application call 1-800-323-4400.  Applications are also available at the municipal tax office.

FAIR Homeowner Rebate
(Formerly the Homestead Rebate and the NJ Saver Rebate)

Homeowners and certain tenants may be eligible.  Property must be your principal residence.  To file an application online go to www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/.  To file an application by phone call 1-877-658-2972.  To ask questions call 1-888-238-1233.  To get information online go to http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/hrintro.htm.  To e-mail the state for FAIR rebate questions:  nj.fairrebate@treas.state.nj.us.

Contact the New Jersey Division of Taxation for more details.