As with almost everything else, inflation also causes local government, county government and school costs to rise. 

The tax rate on your bill is determined by the County Board of Taxation based on budgets submitted by the municipality, county and schools, and the total assessed value of the municipality. (There are two districts within Chesterfield Township.)

With changes in budgets, tax rates and assessments all affecting the tax you pay, the key to our Real Estate Tax is the bottom line of any budget:  "Amount to be raised by Taxation."

Presently, state school aid, part of which comes from the State Income Tax, is based on the equalized valuation of assessments.

The State Constitution requires all properties be assessed at "fair market" value.  Therefore, it is essential to maintain assessments, keep up with market prices and cope with inflation.  At times, market conditions warrant Revaluation or Reassessment programs to maintain "fair market value".

Tax Appeal Hearing Information:  http://co.burlington.nj.us/departments/taxation/appeal/instructions.htm.

Deductions

If you are a qualified Veteran, Widow of a Veteran, Senior Citizen, Disabled Person or Surviving Spouse of a qualified Senior Citizen or Disabled Person, you may be eligible for deductions which reduce your property tax liability.  Under certain conditions, combined deductions may be allowed.

Requirements for these deductions are:

Tax Deductions for Veterans

According to the New Jersey Veterans Property Tax Benefits, veterans are entitled to a $250.00 real estate tax deduction if they served during the wartime periods below.
*All Peacekeeping Missions have the added provision that the Veteran must have one of the following types of service for a total of 14 days.  The 14 day requirement is waived where a service injury was received in a combat zone in favor of actual time served in a combat zone though less than 14 days.
1.  Service in the specified county for Peacekeeping Mission, OR
2.  Service on board any ship actively engaged in patrolling the territorial waters of the specified country for the Peacekeeping Mission OR
3.  Service in the airspace above the Republic of Bosnia/Herzegovina.
 

Combat zones are designated by Executive Order from the President as areas in which the United States Armed Forces are engaged or have engaged in combat.  There are currently three such combat zones (including the airspace above each) beginning on the listed dates:
 

In Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Arabian Peninsula Combat Zone)
 

The Department Of Defense has certified these locations for combat zone tax benefits due to their direct support of military operations in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan combat zone):

  (Public Law 104-117 designates Bosnia/Herzegovina, Croatia, and Macedonia as a Qualified Hazardous Duty Area, to be treated as if they were combat zones beginning November 21, 1995)

Senior Citizen, Disabled Person or Surviving Spouse

Senior Citizen - Age 65 or over as of December 31 of pre-tax year.
Disabled Person - Permanently and totally disabled as of December 31 of pre-tax year.
Surviving Spouse - Age 55 or over at time of death of person receiving Senior Citizen or Disabled Person deduction.

General Requirements

1.  Owner and resident in property as of October 1 of pre-tax year.
2.  Citizen of New Jersey.
3.  Income limitations apply subject to existing laws.  One of the following sources of income may be excluded:  Social Security or Railroad Retirement or Government Pension (up to maximum of Social Security benefit).

NOTICE

In order to receive any of the above deductions, you must apply.  If you have any questions as to your eligibility for the above deductions, contact the Chesterfield Twp. Tax Assessor.