(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Matthew Milam and Nelson Albano (D-both Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland) to better inform property owners about property tax relief programs available to them was approved Thursday by an Assembly committee.
“Many residents struggle with their property tax payments unaware that there are a variety of relief programs offered by the state to help ease the burden,” said Milam. “These programs are meant to help residents having a hard time financially. They are not effective if they are not being used. This bill puts this information right in the hands of property owners so they can take advantage of it.”
“There are residents who need help keeping up with their property taxes, but don’t know where to look or who to ask. Not everyone has the same resources. While many of us would simply do a Google search, some residents don’t have access to computers,” said Albano. “This bill helps get this information directly to property owners who may need it the old fashioned way – through the mail.”
The bill (A-3420) would require that tax bills, or the forms mailed with tax bills, include information about state property tax relief programs and their eligibility requirements. The Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs would be responsible for compiling a list of the various state property tax relief programs in effect for the tax year and providing each tax collector with inserts containing the list and eligibility requirements.
The bill was released by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.