BLOG: Property Tax Appeal

Surviving Spouse Denied Veteran’s Exemption

by: Thomas Olson
25 Aug 2020
This recent Tax Court opinion by Judge Fiamingo involves a Veteran’s Exemption property tax claim available to a surviving spouse pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.30(b). As part of her claim, the plaintiff Jacqueline Brown-Carter supplied documentation of proof including proof of marriage to Dirk N. Carter, certificate of death, DD214 indicating his Vietnam War service, and... Read More

In Lengthy Decision, The Tax Court Determines Market Value of Commercial Complex

by: Thomas Olson
20 Aug 2020
This Tax Court opinion by Presiding Judge Andresini pertains to a tax appeal of commercial property in Teaneck consisting of office space, parking garage, vacant land, and a hotel. Both parties had expert appraisers testify to the purported market value of the 24 acres property. Both appraisers utilized the income capitalization method. Plaintiff’s appraiser concluded... Read More

Chapter 91 Request: They Want The Whole Truth!

by: Thomas Olson
10 Aug 2020
This is an appeal by Plaintiff, Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (“Alcatel”) from Tax Court Judge Novin’s dismissal of its 2014 Farmland Assessment application. The Appellate Division affirmed Judge Novin’s order while referencing Alcatel’s 2015 Farmland Assessment application denial due to failure to respond to the tax assessor’s Chapter 91 request (previously discussed here). The appeal pertains... Read More

Property Tax Exemption Not On The Menu For Kean University Restaurant

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
14 Jul 2020
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently held in Gourmet Dining v Union Township that a for-profit high-end restaurant housed in a building on the Kean University campus was subject to local property taxation. The defendant, Union Township, appealed from the judgment of the Appellate Division, which reversed the Tax Court’s grant of summary judgment in... Read More

2020 TAX APPEAL FILING DEADLINE SET FOR JULY 1ST

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
29 May 2020
Yesterday Governor Murphy signed Assembly Bill No. 4157 (A4157)  to temporarily extend the deadline to file property tax appeals to July 1. The ordinary statutory deadline was April 1 (or May 1 for towns undergoing a revaluation).  That deadline had been extended twice before as a result of the Governor’s Executive Orders declaring the current... Read More

“Thanks” To COVID-19, It’s Not Too Late To File A Property Tax Appeal

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
1 May 2020
Like you, we at McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & Della Pelle, P.C. have had to adapt to the current State of Emergency caused by the COVID-19 virus that has upended our normal routines.  First and foremost is that we are all concerned about our health and that of our family and friends, especially those most vulnerable... Read More

Tax Appeals – Must Provide Sufficient Evidence

by: Thomas Olson
13 Apr 2020
A recent Tax Court opinion by Judge Mala Sundar provides another example of the sufficient evidence necessary to successfully challenge a tax assessment at the Tax Court level. Here, pro se plaintiff, Leena Aggarwal (“Aggarwal”), filed a tax appeal with the Monmouth County Tax Board to reduce the $456,700 assessment on his single-family colonial. Aggarwal... Read More

“Almost on time” Doesn’t Count For Tax Refund – Tax Court Orders Town to Pay Interest

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
2 Apr 2020
There is a saying that “early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable.” While that is not true in all instances, the New Jersey Tax Court recently found that the payment of a tax refund owed as a result of Judgment issued pursuant to a settlement agreement two days beyond the... Read More

Another Day, Another Sale Not Verified

by: Thomas Olson
17 Feb 2020
This matter stems from plaintiffs’, Anthony and Patricia-Miliano Paolo, 2019 appeal of their property in the Borough of Bradley Beach. Plaintiff petitioned to the Monmouth County Tax Board to reduce its assessment from $657,700 to $563,000. The Paolos provided the sales of three residences in the Borough but only relied on one as the best... Read More

Appraiser’s Lack of Verification of Data Leads to Affirmed Assessment

by: Thomas Olson
14 Feb 2020
In a recent Tax Court matter, the Plaintiff challenged the 2016 tax year assessment of property currently being occupied by a bank. The Bergen County Tax Board and the Tax Court affirmed the assessment. The Court’s legal analysis began with the well-established principle that the original assessment is entitled to a presumption of validity. MSGW... Read More