Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | April 4, 2025
The Township is preparing to conduct a real property revaluation early next year to ensure that property assessments reflect current market values.
This process, which has been in the works for a number of years, is designed to ensure that property taxpayers are paying the correct amount of the overall taxes the municipality collects. Through a revaluation, we can ensure the fair, equitable distribution of property taxes among all property owners.
The bottom line: Some taxpayers will see a reduction in taxes, some will see an increase. Many others will see no change.
This initiative – which all towns in New Jersey are required to undertake – fulfills a requirement from the state Division of Taxation and the Union County Tax Board to ensure assessments reflect current market values.
Over time, property values may change because of various factors, leading to disparities between assessed values and actual market values. For example, two properties assessed at $200,000 may end up with different market values after several years, resulting in unequal tax burdens. Revaluation corrects these discrepancies, updating assessments to align with current market conditions.
Revaluation Process:
Over the past several years, the Township has digitized its tax maps in anticipation of this required reevaluation. Below is an anticipated timeline:
- August – December 2025:
- Letters will be mailed to all properties in Scotch Plains explaining the reevaluation process.
- Public meetings will be held for residents to learn about the process and ask questions.
- January 2026:
- Reevaluation inspections are anticipated to begin. The township’s tax assessors inspect both the interior and exterior of properties to gather accurate data on building materials, dimensions, and conditions.
- Recent property sales are analyzed and adjusted to estimate the value of properties that haven't been sold recently. Other relevant information influencing property value is collected to determine each property's full and fair value.
- November – December 2026:
- It is anticipated that the reevaluation shall be completed.
- January 10, 2027:
- It is anticipated that the reevaluation assessments shall be certified to the Union County Tax Board.
- May 1, 2027:
- This is the deadline for property owners who wish to appeal the new assessments.
Impact on Property Taxes:
It is important to note that a revaluation does not directly increase or decrease the total amount of property taxes collected. Instead, it redistributes the tax burden more fairly based on updated property values.
After a revaluation, some property owners may see their taxes increase, decrease, or remain the same, depending on how their property's new assessed value compares to others in the municipality.
Appealing a Revaluation:
If a property owner believes the new assessment is inaccurate, they have the right to appeal.
Informational meetings will be scheduled in the fall. Residents should look out for mailings, as well, providing updated information about the process.
In the meantime, residents should contact our Town Manager, Al Mirabella, at
