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Serving the Taxpayers and Residents of Ocean City

PROPERTIES REASSESSMENTS AND APPEALS

The City of Ocean City has contracted with Vital Communications, Inc. of Trenton NJ, to perform a complete reassessment of all real property within Ocean City, N.J. (based on the inspection of 4,250 properties.) All employees of Vital Communications, Inc have a photo identification badge and letter of introduction signed by Ocean City officials.

The reassessment program results in the estimation of the fair market value of all of the properties in Ocean City. The sole purpose is to estimate a fair market value of each property, thereby equitably distributing real estate taxes.

The estimate of the current fair market value of all property will be as of October 1, 2007, and will become the tax assessment for the 2008 tax year. In accordance with New Jersey State guidelines, only certain properties will be inspected for this reassessment, however, all properties in the City will be reassessed. If a property meets inspection criteria, a separate notice is mailed to individual property owners in the City, prior to a field representative visiting their neighborhood, to allow access to the property for the inspection of the interior.

Note, as indicated in the budget review report, that the reassessments need to be scrutinized by the property owners and below is the process for appeal.

Property inspections will continue through the fall of 2007. Vital Communications, Inc will mail to each taxpayer, a notice advising them of their new assessed value. That notice will also explain how to arrange for a personal informal review to discuss the proposed assessment. Information regarding the reassessment will be posted on the Ocean City website, www.ocnj.us and click on resident for more information.

Ocean City property taxpayers who decide to formally appeal the new property assessment can appeal to the Cape May County Board of Taxation. An appeal must be received (not postmarked) by the County Board of Taxation on or before April 1, 2008 or 45 days from the date the bulk mailing of Notification of Assessment is completed, whichever is later. A taxpayer will have 45 days to file an appeal upon issuance of Notification of Change of Assessment.

Should the assessor fail for any reason to mail or deliver a Notification of Assessment or a Notice of Change of Assessment, the Cape May County Board of Taxation may, upon the written application of the taxpayer and with the approval of the Director of the Division of Taxation, grant a reasonable extension of time to file an appeal.

Interested taxpayers should contact the Cape May County Board of Taxation regarding appeal-filing procedures, filing fees, representation, etc. at 609-465-1030.