Re-val ?

Did anyone get a new tax estimate?   We have not but two people on my block (Courter) got different types of notifications that suggested huge increase in our taxes.  I'm hoping both were misinterpretations.  


The guy showed up at our modest dwelling a few weeks ago. We have heard nothing since.


We have not, but we did get our third and fourth quarter bill.  Remember that those are higher because the first two quarters are estimated based on budgets that had not been passed yet.  So you can't just multiply the third quarter times 4.


jeffl said:

Did anyone get a new tax estimate?   We have not but two people on my block (Courter) got different types of notifications that suggested huge increase in our taxes.  I'm hoping both were misinterpretations.  

According to an email response  I received from a TC member, "The revaluation is complete and the firm we hired has set November 17th as the date letters will be sent to homeowners."  I asked about the availability of online data similar to what we have had in prior Revals.  That query was referred to the town tax assessor.  If and when I receive a reply, I will share the information here.


I see in my informed delivery that there is a letter in today’s mail from the tax collector.  I assume it is our 4 th quarter tax bill, which after three quarters of estimated bills is likely to be comparable to the third quarter bills of the past.

ETA:  It was the 4th quarter tax bill which reflects the final adopted budget and plays catch up with under billing for the prior three quarters.  


The new tax rates from the reval don't go into effect until next year, so whatever we see now won't have that adjustment included. 


DanDietrich said:

We have not, but we did get our third and fourth quarter bill.  Remember that those are higher because the first two quarters are estimated based on budgets that had not been passed yet.  So you can't just multiply the third quarter times 4.

What Dan said.


Thanks, everyone!   That was...concerning!


FWIW  The reval guy came to my house weeks ago.  He knocked so weakly on my door that had I not been a few feet away, it would have been inaudible.  It seemed to me that in spite of his job, he would have rather not gone through the effort to inspect the house.  He possibly could have used the house next door to pattern his report.


mrmaplewood said:

FWIW  The reval guy came to my house weeks ago.  He knocked so weakly on my door that had I not been a few feet away, it would have been inaudible.  It seemed to me that in spite of his job, he would have rather not gone through the effort to inspect the house.  He possibly could have used the house next door to pattern his report.

They have all the data from the last reval.  They are just confirming or changing what's already in the system.


Right, but you need to enter the house for that.


mrmaplewood said:

Right, but you need to enter the house for that.

If they can't enter the house they go with what they can see from the outside, the last reval, and permit information.


Right, but his job is to inspect the interior of my house.  Do you realize that he did not seem to want to enter my house?  That is the point.  I gladly let him in as he tried to walk away.  I did not want an estimate as you suggested.


I didn’t let them in. They just took pictures and I think measured the property. You are not obligated to let them into your home. They know that.


" Although you have an absolute right to privacy, there are consequences for denying the assessor a peek inside your abode. Every few years the town revalues property so everyone is taxed fairly. A finished basement, for example, will add a higher resale value to your home than a dusty junk area. But the assessor just can't barge in, according to the state's Handbook for Assessors. You can legally deny him entry.

But if he can't see the inside, he could assume you have lots of nifty upgrades, like granite counter tops, a hot tub and a home theater, even if you just have cracked linoleum floors and unpainted walls. "There is a risk that the assessment could be higher than the true market value" of the home, said Howell Tax Assessor Gregory T. Hutchinson. Once you overcome the shock of your new — surprise! higher — tax bill, you will have to fight City Hall to knock the value down — and that means letting the assessor look inside. Crazy, right? Local government is addicted to property taxes because it provides a steady stream of cash. How much is that addiction costing you? Well over $8,000 a year, for the average homeowner in the state."

https://www.app.com/story/news/local/red-bank-middletown-area/2015/04/30/nj-tax-assessor-can-barred-home/26628639/


They’re not looking for interior decorations. I have not done anything to the house since the last reval, and my taxes actually went down last time. No pool, no central air, no addition. Property measurements are the same. 
The guy said that it’s okay. I’m okay with that. Now if the town thinks I have changed my countertops then they will have to prove it….


Jaytee said:

They’re not looking for interior decorations. I have not done anything to the house since the last reval, and my taxes actually went down last time. No pool, no central air, no addition. Property measurements are the same. 
The guy said that it’s okay. I’m okay with that. Now if the town thinks I have changed my countertops then they will have to prove it….

You allowed the inspector in. It's only when you don't allow the inspector in  that the  inspector might assume that you remodeled your kitchen, etc. This wouldn't apply if all permits were taken out. 




How long until the next reval? Maybe now a good time to do all those renovations/upgrades...


sprout said:

How long until the next reval? Maybe now a good time to do all those renovations/upgrades...

If you follow the rules and pull permits for whatever work is done, they adjust your taxes along the way.


The taxes don't move much for updating, I have found.  I have rebuilt my home with permits for the last 12 years.  My taxes have increased, but I think in line with the general increases.  



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