Want to challenge city hall?

Think your tax assessment in Bernards Twp (Basking Ridge) is correct?

If you live in Basking Ridge (Bernards Twp), then you got your property tax postcard. Believe it’s right? Did your property value go down? Did your tax go down? You can fight city hall (actually it’s the Somerset County Tax Board), but you’ll have to do you homework. If you have the time, and do the research, why shouldn’t you challenge the assessment? Answer….you should!

I think it’s time to put plan to action and see if it really works.

See the Somerset County Tax Board County Tax Rate breakdowns – Click Here

Few tips to getting started;

1. Register on the Vital Web Group site to access tax infomation – Click Here

April 1 Deadline

You’ve got until April 1 to build your case.

Here’s what the Bernards Twp official website states: Full details (Click Here)

• The final property assessed values are reviewed and updated on an annual basis. For tax year 2006 and thereafter, the annual program will continue. All assessments are based on market trends by neighborhood, styles, size as of October 1, of the pretax year. Ratable totals may increase or decrease depending on these trends and the property condition.
• All properties are scheduled for re-inspection on a four-year rotation, which enables the adjustment of our property data base for alterations and improvements that may not have had building permits. Any properties not physically inspected will be estimated based on typical attributes of comparable housing. Annual reassessing and the re-inspection process contribute to more equitable and uniform assessments throughout the Township.
• Commercial Properties are assessed based on income and expense information as well as sales data. Chapter 91′s are mailed out annually to owners. The data compiled from the responses enables us to develop economic rents that are uniformly used on comparable rental properties. Compliance with this request by the Township commercial owners is extremely important to arrive at final assessed values representative of market value.
• There are five employees in the Office of the Assessor. The Assessor and Deputy Assessor are responsible for the valuation and defense of appeals. Annual inspections are performed by our field inspector and technical assistant; inspections relative to sales are performed by our administrative assistant along with other job duties.
• On or before February 1, 2006, all property owners will be forwarded a postcard containing the updated assessed value for that tax year. An aggrieved taxpayer may contact the Office to discuss their assessment, visit the Municipal Building to review property data and closed sales, and/or file an appeal with the Somerset County Tax Board. Be advised that closed comparable sales are required for the defense of an appeal.

Other information: