Recently passed by New Jersey’s upper house, Senate Bill 1213 (Van Drew/Benson) could have a major impact on the timing of tax appeals in New Jersey.  Currently, assessment lists are finalized by the municipality on January 10 of the assessment year, with notices mailed to taxpayers in February and deadlines to appeal fixed at April 1 (or May 1^st if there is a municipal revaluation).  As part of a pilot program, S1213 would require a preliminary assessment list to be certified much earlier than the current schedule (November 1), with notices to taxpayers moved up from February to November 15.

Appeals under the new system would be filed by January 15 –  almost three months earlier than the current deadlines.  If approved, the new dates would be phased in first in two pilot counties before being considered for statewide implementation.  A copy of the pending legislation can be viewed here in PDF format.  The bill’s sponsors are hopeful that the reform will help streamline the appeals process with cost savings both for taxpayers and municipalities, but with the potential for major revisions in filing dates, it is important that property owners in New Jersey closely follow the proposed changes.