Tax Payers Bill of Rights

Assessment Appeal Due Date:
May 1, of tax year to appeal assessment.
Example: May 1, 2020 is the due date to appeal the assessment for the tax year 2020.
Click here for a brochure regarding Tax Appeal Hearings

Annual Reassessment Program:  

As you may be aware, the Township of Bridgewater continues to conduct its annual reassessment program.  As we enter our 16th year, I remind property owners that the purpose of the reassessment program is not to generate additional tax revenue.  Its purpose is to annually reestablish the overall municipal assessment value based upon market analysis. This includes all class of properties; commercial, residential, industrial, vacant land, etc.

As a state requirement of the reassessment program, each property must be inspected within a four year cycle.  Each year of our annual reassessment program the Township of Bridgewater contracts with an accredited appraisal firm to conduct property inspections in order to confirm data accuracy.  Having correct data is paramount to valuation accuracy.  This is also vital to maintain equity and uniformity.  Our goal is to have all assessments reflect as close to true market as possible.  A notice will be mailed out prior to the inspection to the homes being inspected this year.

However due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering 2 options for the interior inspection.

Option 1: physical, on site, pre-arranged inspection with proper social distancing guidelines observed. 

Option 2:“virtual” inspection via Zoom video conference between an Appraisal Systems inspector, and the property owner/owner’s representative. 

YOU MUST CALL APPRAISAL SYSTEMS INC AT (201) 493-8530 TO SCHEDULE EITHER OPTION AND WITH ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS INTERIOR INSPECTION.

At any time during the year we welcome you to contact the Assessor’s office to obtain information with regard to your assessment and the reassessment function.  If you have questions, please contact the office at 908-725-6300 Ext. 5121, and 5125.

TAX DEDUCTION PROGRAMS:
Click here for a brochure regarding NJ Property Tax Benefits

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD FOR SENIOR/DISABLED AND VETERAN

File this claim with the municipal tax assessor from October 1 through December 31 of the pretax year, i.e., the year prior to the calendar tax year or with the municipal tax collector from January 1 through December 31 of the calendar tax year. For example, for a property tax deduction claimed for calendar tax year 2019, the pretax year filing period would be October 1 – December 31, 2018 with the assessor and the tax year filing period would be January 1 – December 31, 2019 with the collector.

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD FOR DISABLED VETERANS

File this form with the municipal tax assessor at any time during the tax year. Partial or prorated exemption is permitted for the remainder of any taxable year from the date ownership or title to the dwelling house is acquired provided all other eligibility requirements are met. For example, where application is filed on June 1st of the tax year for exemption on a dwelling house acquired on February 14th of the tax year, the assessed value is to be prorated for taxation purposes so that 44/365th’s of the total assessment would be taxable and 321/365th’s would be exempt.

$250.00 Real Property Tax Deduction Programs and respective link to applications:

• Veterans (Widow or Widower)
• Senior Citizens (Surviving Spouse of a Senior Citizen)*
• Disabled Persons (Surviving Spouse of a Disabled Person)

.* These deductions require this supplemental to accompany the application:
<<< CLICK HERE >>>
During the tax year for which the deduction is claimed, The applicant reasonably anticipates that their annual income (and that of their spouse/civil union partner combined) will not exceed $10,000 after a permitted exclusion of Social Security Benefits, or Federal Government Retirement/Disability Pension, or State, County, Municipal Government and their political subdivisions and agencies Retirement/Disability Pension. Please see the application for more details.

Property Tax Reimbursement Program (AKA Senior Freeze): 2019 Senior Freeze Application Deadline Extended to December 31, 2020
This application is available in the Tax Collector’s office.

Change of Address:
Changes of address must be in writing, and submitted to the Tax Assessor’s office.

Change of Address Request – CORPORATION, LLC, and EXEMPT OWNERS

Change of Address Request – RESIDENTIAL

Farmland Application Forms

Application for Farmland Assessment

Changes to Farmland Assessment for the Year 2019

Supplemental Farmland Assessment Gross Sales Form

 Woodland Data Form

The Tax Assessor, Anthony R. DiRado, can be reached at (908) 725-6300 ext. 5121, and 5125 or by email at taxassessor@bridgewaternj.gov.

Click here for Reassessment Frequently Asked Questions PDF