Marc Pfeiffer, associate director at the Center for Urban Policy Research at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, updated his online guide to property taxes in New Jersey, according to a Mar. 10 announcement.
The updated “New Jersey Homeowner’s Guide to Property Taxes” aims to help residents understand how property taxes are calculated, how homes are assessed, and what relief programs are available. The guide was first created in 2018 through a partnership with the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants, New Jersey Realtors, and the Association of Municipal Assessors of New Jersey.
“We decided, okay, let’s do a handbook for folks, because there really isn’t anything out there that a state agency has produced or local government organization has produced that tells homeowners, ‘here’s how property taxes work,’” Pfeiffer said about his motivation for writing the guide. He explained that many homeowners do not realize their tax bills are based on assessed property value and that municipalities receive only a portion of those payments. “(Homeowners) don’t necessarily understand two things: that it’s based on their assessed property value … (and) while they’re paying the municipality all that money, the municipality gets a relatively small part of it,” he said.
The guide details how public schools typically receive about half of each tax bill, municipal governments get between 20 and 30 percent, and county governments receive the remainder. Some towns also levy additional taxes for services like fire districts or libraries. Pfeiffer noted that high property taxes in New Jersey result from factors such as dense population, aging infrastructure, and higher personnel costs due to organized labor advocating for middle-income salaries.
Relief programs such as ANCHOR and Stay NJ offer rebates or credits to eligible residents. Funding comes mainly from income tax revenue dedicated by law to property tax relief and school funding. “The state has been working on consolidating the applications to make it simpler for people to apply. And I think the Stay NJ program is a good first effort to try to do that,” Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer advised homeowners who believe their properties are overvalued to appeal through their municipal assessor or county tax board if necessary. He also highlighted how renters may be affected by property taxes passed along by landlords: “If you are a renter in downtown New Brunswick … somebody is paying property taxes in some way on the property you live,” he said.
According to the official website, the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy operates as part of Rutgers University and focuses on fostering just, socially inclusive communities at various levels. The school is recognized nationally for its graduate urban planning program and undergraduate public health program rankings.
Stuart Shapiro became dean of the school in 2023 according to its official website. The school advances social impact through research centers focused on community development and other policy areas according to its official website. It also recognizes distinguished alumni through its Hall of Fame established in 2013 according to its official website.