ASSESSOR:

During 1996, there were approximately 190 appeals filed with the Bergen County Board of Taxation. With stipulations and hearings the County Board granted 108 reductions, reducing assessed valuations by $2,506,300. Even with these reductions, 1997 assessed value will be $2,569,402,807, an increase of $3,896,507 over 1996 assessed valuation of $2,565,506,300.

The constitution authorizes an annual property tax deduction from the property taxes levied on a dwelling house owned and occupied by a qualified senior citizen, a person who is 65 years of age or older, a person who is less than 65 years of age but is permanently and totally disabled or a person who is a qualified surviving spouse of either a senior citizen or a disabled person. To qualify as a senior citizen, disabled person or a surviving spouse, you must: be a citizen of New Jersey, own and occupy your dwelling or have a life estate and have an income not to exceed $10,000 exclusive of Social Security or a comparable governmental retirement or disability program not to exceed the equivalency under social security.

The State constitution also provides for a tax deduction for qualified veterans and/or their surviving spouse. To qualify the veteran must have served during a designated time of war as follows and have received an honorable discharge.