Municipal Tax Assessor

General Duties

The Municipal Assessor’s Office is responsible for discovery, listing and valuing all taxable property. To maintain the records of the 21,000 parcels within the Township accurately and ensure that the value is proper so that each taxpayer pays no more than his fair share of taxes.

The Municipal Assessor is responsible for defending Assessments before the Ocean County Board of Taxation or the New Jersey Tax court as required. He also administers all State Deduction and Exemptions for Real Property.

Assessor’s Role in Local Government

The Municipal Assessor occupies a unique position within the framework of local government. Assessors, though they are chosen and appointed by Municipal Officials are nevertheless Public Officers in the broadest sense. Their duties are imposed by State Law and clearly defined in State Statutes. 

When assessing property for taxation, the Assessor performs a governmental function in which he has been described as acting as an agent of the Legislature. In determining the taxability of property and in assessing property, the position of’ Assessor takes on a Judicial quality. In the discharge of these duties the Assessor is not subject to local control in carrying out his Magisterial functions. 

The intent is that in determining taxability of property and valuing property for taxation, Assessors, like Judges should be free to perform their duties without fear of local retaliation and should, to the greatest extent possible, be immune from undue pressure and harassment. However, though Statutory scheme is to free the Assessor from local control in levying assessments, the Assessor, nevertheless, is subject to compliance with certain local requirements, and is further subject to supervision at both the County and State levels of Government. 

From the Handbook for New Jersey Assessors.