Office of the Tax Assessor

Frank J. Betts

Ext. 1970

fbetts@somervillnj.org

 

OVERVIEW
The Mission of the Assessor’s Office is to maintain a fair and equitable tax base for the community based on sound assessment practices. Our plan is to treat all property types and owners impartially so as to distribute the tax burden equitably.

The Assessor is responsible for identifying and placing a value on every parcel of land within the confines of the Borough’s borders.

The Assessor’s office is a quasi-judicial position whose statutory authority is based in the New Jersey Constitution. Although an employee of the municipality, the Assessor works under the direction of the Somerset County Board of Taxation.

ASSESSMENT NOTIFICATION/APPEAL
In February of each year, “Assessment Notification Postcards” are mailed to each property owner as outlined in N.J.S.A. 54:4-38.1. The postcard notification lists the current year’s assessment as well as the process and deadline for filing an appeal. Please keep in mind that property owners cannot appeal the amount of taxes they pay, but rather the assessment of the property. Tax Appeals must be filed with the Somerset County Board of Taxation

SOMERSET COUNTY TAX BOARD
The Somerset County Tax Board retains assessments and tax maps for all 21 municipalities in Somerset County. It is located in Somerville at 27 Warren Street, 4th floor. The phone number is 908.541.5701
Much useful information can be found at its web site here

IMPORTANT LINK
Local Property Tax Forms

This link will provide you with the following forms that are usually of interest to most, such as:

• Tax Appeal forms
• Veterans Deduction
• Senior Citizens Deduction (has income limits)
• Disabled Person Deduction (has income limits)
• Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner of a Veteran, Senior Citizen, Disabled Person, etc.
• 100% Permanently and Totally Disabled Veterans and Surviving spouses
• Tax Exemption for places of worship, parsonages, cemeteries, hospitals, certain non-profit agencies, and any other entity that may qualify

Tax Rates & Ratios - 2005 - 2009

Year Tax Rate Ratio Date
2005 4.290 59.68 10/1/2005
2006 4.520 51.73 10/1/2006
2007 4.830 46.01 10/1/2007
2008 5.055 45.42 10/1/2008
2009 5.266 47.26 10/1/2009

REVALUATION OF ALL REAL ESTATE ORDERED IN SOMERVILLE TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2011 TAX YEAR.
The Somerset County Board of Taxation ordered a Borough wide revaluation to be conducted during 2010 to be effective for the 2011 tax year. A contract was awarded to “APPRAISAL SYSTEMS INC.,” located at 8 Cattano Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960-1916.
The firm will talk to the Borough Council in November of 2009 to explain the procedure. Early in 2010, the firm will set up an office in Somerville with a phone number and staff. Letters will be mailed to specified sections of the Borough notifying owners that an inspector will be stopping by to conduct an exterior and interior inspection. All owners are urged to cooperate. All inspectors will have proper identification. If no one is home during the first inspection, a card will be left telling the owner that an inspector stopped by, and to call the phone number listed so as to arrange for a mutually agreeable inspection time. Additionally, all income-producing properties (apartments, offices, etc.) will receive income and expense forms to fill out and return to the appraisal firm.


PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT OR TO CALL WITH A QUESTION ABOUT AN INSPECTOR. PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER THAT WILL BE SUPPLIED TO ALL OWNERS IN SOMERVILLE.

FAQ

#1. When do I call the Collector? - When do I call the Assessor?

The collector can answer questions about tax collections, tax bills, tax payments, interest, sewer bills, etc. Additionally, the Collector can also assist in answering questions pertaining to veteran’s deductions, senior citizen deductions, and disabled deductions.

The assessor can answer questions about ownership, block and lot, assessments of land and building, lot sizes, confirm sales prices, etc. The assessor can also assist in answering questions about veteran’s, senior citizens, and disabled deductions.

#2. May I file my tax appeal form with the Assessor’s office?

No. While the municipality gets a copy, the original MUST be filed with the Somerset County Board of Taxation or Tax Court as the case may be.

#3. I am appealing my assessment and I feel that I should not have to pay my taxes until my appeal is heard and resolved.

Payment of 1st quarter taxes and other municipal charges is a prerequisite to the appeal process. Your appeal will not be accepted unless taxes are paid.

#4. I agree with the land assessment, but I disagree with the building assessment (or the other way around.) Can I appeal one, but not the other?

No. Land and building assessments cannot be appealed separately.

#5. Can I appeal my property tax bill?

No. A tax appeal is NOT an appeal of your tax bill. The amount of taxes you pay is never an issue during an appeal because neither the Tax Assessor nor the County Tax Board has control over budgets submitted by municipalities, counties, schools, or fire districts.

#6. What is the deadline to file an appeal?

The filing deadline is April 1st of the tax year in question. “Filed” means that the appeal form must be RECEIVED on or before April 1st. Date of mailing is not used in determining whether an appeal is timely.


Thank you for visiting our website. Please contact us whenever an issue is important to you. The Borough Council and Administrator depend on your thoughts and comments to ensure that at all times our service offerings are community driven.