Most of the tax boards have heard all the cases or will be finishing soon. The tax board decisions will be sent out and every petitioner will be receiving their decisions in the next couple of weeks. If you receive the tax board decision and are not satisfied, then you can appeal their decision to the tax court.
If you were a property owner and did not have an expert witness to testify as to the value of your property and are planning to continue to the tax court, hire a certified appraiser. Hiring a certified appraiser to testify as to the value of your property adds to the credibility of your case. Home owners who have an appraisal and an expert witness who is knowledgable about the tax appeal process tend to get better results.
As a certified appraiser who has been testifying for property owners for 15+ years now in the NJ County tax boards and tax courts, I have observed how cases have leaned for a petitioner with an appraiser expert and petitioners without an appraiser expert. I have also seen cases when an appraiser was utilized but were not familiar with the appeal process. So, word of advice when filing a tax assessment appeal and presenting your case to the tax board and tax court: Hire a certified appraiser who has many years of experience. Hire a certified appraiser who knows the appeal process from start to finish. There are many appraisers who know how to appraise your property, but don’t know the appeal process, procedures and what is allowed in the tax boards and tax courts.
When you receive your tax board decision and decide to appeal to the tax court, contact the Appraisal Authority. http://www.realtyinside.com/contact.htm
