Tax Assessor

OFFICE OF THE TAX ASSESSOR

The assessor occupies a unique position within the framework of local government. Assessors, though selected and appointed by municipal officials, are public officers whose duties are imposed by and defined in State law.  When assessing property for taxation, the assessor performs a governmental function as an agent of the Legislature.  The assessor is subject to certain local requirements and to supervision at both the County and State levels of government.[1]

New Jersey’s real property tax is ad valorem or a tax “according to value.” The New Jersey Constitution requires real property to be assessed at the “same standard of value.” New Jersey Statutes at N.J.S.A. 45:4-23 establish the standard to be the “full and fair value” or “true value.” True value represents the fair market value of the property or the price for which it would sell in an arms-length transaction between a willing buyer and willing seller. More information on how property is valued for property tax purposes can be found here: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pdf/lpt/ptassessment.pdf

[1] Handbook for New Jersey Assessors, Revised August 2017


Important Dates and Information

  • January 10th – Tax list for current year finalized.
  • February 1st – Notice of Assessment for current and prior year post cards mailed. Note: this is a notice of your assessed value and not a record of taxes paid. A copy of your current postcard can be found here, the NJ Assessment Records Search. You can access the amount of taxes paid through the “Pay Online” feature located on our homepage or by calling the Tax Collector’s Office at 973-326-7420.
  • April 1st – Deadline for filing of tax appeals. Further information on tax appeals can be found here: http://www.morristwp.com/DocumentCenter/View/3343 
  • August 1st – Deadline for filing of farmland assessment applications.
  • November 1st – Deadline for filing application for exempt status (non-profit entities).
  • December 1st – Deadline for filing appeals of added assessments.

2023 Tax Rate - $2.005 per $100 of assessed value. 

2023 Equalization Ratio – 89.69% (applicable to tax appeals for 2023 tax year).

Added Assessment: an increase in assessed value for improvement(s) to property completed after January 10th.  Added assessments are billed by the Tax Collector separately in October with payment due November 1.

Building Permits: Improvements will be assessed when they are complete, regardless of whether the building permit has been closed out. 

Change of Mailing Address: Please mail, e-mail, or fax a request to the Tax Assessor.

Deeds: A copy of a recorded deed can be obtained from the Tax Assessor’s office or through the Morris County Clerk’s office public search link here.

Demolition: Property demolished or damaged by fire or acts of nature will be taxable for the entire year unless the Tax Assessor is notified by January 1st, as per NJ Statute 54:4-35.1.  

Farmland Assessment: Forms are mailed to farmland property owners by July 1 of each year and must be completed and returned to the Assessor’s office, with the necessary supporting documentation, by August 1.  Failure to provide the necessary supporting documentation may result in removal of the farmland assessment.

Income & Expense Statements (Chapter 91): Forms are mailed to owners of income-producing property each year and must be returned within 45 days of mailing.

List of Property Owners within 200 Feet: Please complete the request form and return it to the Assessor’s office with payment.  The list will be available within seven working days.

New Owners: Property ownership cannot be changed until a recorded deed is received by the Tax Assessor’s office.  Deeds are sent to the Assessor by Morris County after they have been recorded, but a copy of a recorded deed can be provided by the homeowner if they have a copy.  It takes at least four weeks for the deed to be sent to the Assessor once it is recorded.

Revaluation: The last Township-wide revaluation was in 2016.  The prior revaluation was in 2001.

Tax Maps: Can be viewed here. 

Zoning: Please contact the Zoning Officer at 973-326-7440.

Property Tax Relief Programs

  • New Jersey Senior "Freeze": The program is administered by the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Call 1-800-882-6597 for more information.
  • Senior or Disabled Citizen or Surviving Spouse/Surviving Civil Union Partner: The deduction is $250 per year. Income (including spouse’s income) cannot exceed $10,000 per year, not including Social Security or federal, state, county, or municipal government pension. Please call the Tax Assessor for the claim form.
  • Veteran Property Tax Deduction: The deduction is $250 per year. Must have active duty service and copy of Form DD214 (honorable discharge).  Please call the Tax Assessor for the claim form. 

Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights P. L. 2017, c. 128.

Overview

The Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights ensures that: 1) All property taxpayers are accorded the basic rights of fair and equitable treatment under the State Constitution and laws of New Jersey; 2) All property taxpayers receive the information and assistance they need to understand and meet their property tax responsibilities.

Services to Property Taxpayers

As a property taxpayer, you have the right to obtain information explained in simple, nontechnical terms about:

  • Your responsibilities and rights as a property owner and property taxpayer;
  • Your real property assessment and how it is determined and calculated;
  • Your right to appeal and how to appeal an assessment you believe is incorrect as to your property or as to another property in the same county and the time limits involved;
  • Your right, in the context of a property tax appeal, to view the property record card of other real property in the municipality;
  • Responsiveness You have the right to expect questions will be responded to within a reasonable amount of time;
  • Statements and Notices You have the right to expect all notices you receive will clearly identify the purpose of the communication and the proper procedure when responding;
  • For More Information Many Local Property Tax forms and publications are available on the New Jersey Division of Taxation website