Tax

Tax Assessor: Barbara A. Flaherty, CTA bflaherty@northplainfieldnj.gov	908-769-2906
Administrative Assistant: Rene Harzula
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday

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 More information can be found here.

IMPORTANT LINKS
Local Property Tax Forms
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

FAQ
What are my Taxpayer Rights? Tax Bill of Rights Information
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, disabled deductions, and the PTR Senior "Property Tax Freeze" program. 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.
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 by the applicable filing deadline.
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 heard unless taxes are paid.
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.
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.
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.