2008-2011 Township Budgets

The Finance Department is comprised of three areas:
Treasury | Collection | Assessment

Treasury

Treasury develops, maintains, and enforces a uniform system of accounts including forms, standards, and procedures for all departments of municipal government. All receipts and disbursements of the Township and each of its departments are controlled here.

A central bookkeeping and account records system is maintained with sound accounting principles in accordance with the requirements of the State Division of Local Government. Treasury assures that all bills are authorized and approved for payment. Treasury controls all expenditures and commitments to be made on behalf of any department in conformity with State law. Treasury also makes recommendations to the Township Council on the sale and award of bonds including the principal amount, interest rate, maturities, and price.

Collections

Collections performs the function of Collector of Taxes including the preparation and mailing of tax bills, enforcement of tax collections by tax sale or other means and the maintenance of tax accounting records. They receive and collect all current and delinquent taxes, receive penalties and interest according to law.

Assessments

This office is governed by State Statutes for all procedures. Assessments, headed by the Tax Assessor, determines the taxability and fair market value of all new, existing and improved properties within the municipality. The assessor’s responsibilities include processing deeds and building permits for assessments, maintaining and updating assessment records, maintaining records for accurate up-to-date information from Planning, Zoning, and Construction Code enforcement, complying with State mandated regulations, handling appeals, processing applications for exemptions or deductions, and compiling financial and other records for the County and State Boards.

Tax Assessor

The assessor is available on alternating Tuesdays from 1pm - 3pm . Residents are encouraged to contact by email assessor@essexfellsboro.com or call 973.226.3400 and ask for the Tax Assessors office if you have a question regarding the assessment.

Please contact the Accounting Office at: 973.226.3400, for information and questions about paying your tax bill.

Services

• Valuation of Properties
• Tax Appeals
• Property Transfers

Tax appeals must be filed on or before April 1st of the current tax year.

Applications for Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons, Veterans and their surviving spouses can be obtained in this office or online at:
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/prntlpt.shtml

Please contact the Tax Assessor for applications and to answer any questions you may have pertaining to them.

For information on the Property Tax Freeze Program you can review the requirements and forms online at:
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.shtml

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q:

  When I obtain a building permit to improve my property, when and how will my property assessment be increased?

  A:

  A representative from the Assessor's office inspects the property and assesses at the current market value (as of October 1st) the added assessment is the amount of the difference between the old assessment and the value of the entire property at the end of the project.

   
• Q:

  If I get a building permit, complete the work and do not call for a final inspection, will an added assessment bill be sent, and what if the permit doesn't include all of the work?

  A:

  The final inspection does not determine the date of the assessment. The assessor values the property when it is substantially ready for intended use, and then assesses all of the changes during the inspection and must value the entire property each time it is re-assessed.

   
• Q:

  What if I don't take out a permit?

  A:

  Not getting a permit does not prevent an assessment. Building inspections are necessary for safety and not a method for raising revenue. If you had a fire without taking out proper permits and inspections, the insurance company might not pay for the damages. If the Assessor's Office discovers an improvement, an assessment is made regardless of whether there was a permit or not.

   
• Q:

  What if I disagree with the value on the bill?

  A:

  You are obligated to pay the bill in full, whether or not you agree to the assessment. You have until December 1st to appeal the added assessment. After that date, no one will be able to appeal the added assessment.