Property Tax Lawyers in Cape May

Cape May, New Jersey laws require that most owners of real property pay taxes on its value. "Real property" refers to building and land, and objects (like natural resources) that are permanently affixed to the land.

Property taxes in Cape May, New Jersey are measured as a percentage of the appraised value of the property. Property taxes are paid to the state or local government at regular (often yearly) intervals.

Federal authorities do not collect a property tax. Only state and local governments collect property taxes, as a general matter.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Cape May, New Jersey

Most often, property taxes in Cape May, New Jersey are simply a set percentage of the property's value. Across the country, state authorities impose a wide range of different tax rates. The highest rates in the country are in the area of 5% of the property's value, and the lowest are less than 1%.

To collect the property tax, the authorities of Cape May, New Jersey have to first determine the value of a specific piece of land.

As you probably know, value is not always objective. For instance, the owners of family heirlooms typically place far more value on them than their objective monetary value. So tax officials have to be careful to only use objective criteria in valuing property for tax purposes.

There are many different ways to value property using objective factors. Usually, the appraiser in Cape May, New Jersey will consider the current state of the real estate market, the size of the property, any improvements (buildings, roads, etc.) that have been made on the property, and the manner in which the property may be legally used (zoning).

How A Cape May, New Jersey Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Property tax law in Cape May, New Jersey is not always simple. Legal disagreements about property taxes can arise from almost any situation. For instance, you might have reason to suspect that the taxable value of your home was overestimated, creating a bigger property tax bill. And, the government might claim that you have underpaid your property taxes, while you think that you have paid the correct amount.

If you encounter a legal issue with your Cape May, New Jersey property taxes, and don't handle it properly, unnecessary inconvenience and expense can result. If you have the assistance of a skilled tax attorney in Cape May, New Jersey, however, the odds of encountering such a problem will be small.