With New Jersey property taxpayers about to receive their annual assessment cards, a listing of a property’s value and assessed taxes, Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco (R-Gloucester) announced Thursday that he intends to introduce no-cost legislation requiring cities and towns to provide clearer information about how property owners can appeal an assessment. The legislation, which DiCicco plans to introduce as early as Feb. 8, would add language to the assessment cards that hgc;.are sent to property owners every year around this time. The language would clearly state the link between assessed value and property taxes, while directing people to the proper place to file an appeal.

The language would state: “This notice is to inform you of the assessment on your real property for the current tax year. This assessment will be used to calculate your property tax bill. If you disagree with the assessed value of your real property, you should file an appeal of this assessment with the (fill in name of county) Tax Board, if the assessed value is $1,000,000 or less, or with the Tax Court if the assessed value is greater than $1,000,000.”

“Not only are New Jersey property taxes excessively high, but the process for residents to appeal their assessments is needlessly confusing,” DiCicco said. “Everyone in government needs to be more clear, transparent and direct in how we communicate with the people we serve. This is a simple and cost-free way to accomplish that at a time when the property values have plummeted and assessments are inaccurately high. Property taxpayers deserve clear information that their tax bill is based on their property’s assessed value and how to appeal if they are improperly assessed. Our property tax system is onerous enough without keeping residents fully informed about their rights.” NJN.