Posted on 07/30/2007 8:56:35 AM PDT by Calpernia
TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Jon S. Corzine dubbed the state's new property tax relief program a step toward easing the burden of America's highest property taxes, but applying to get that help is proving a burden to beleaguered Garden State homeowners.
"I found it a bit difficult and time consuming,'' said Alice Tulecki of Brick, who is among those who struggled to complete the recently mailed property tax relief application sent by the state to homeowners.
Under the new program approved by Corzine and pushed by legislative Democrats, most homeowners will get a check this fall equal to 20 percent of their property taxes. Overall, 1.9 million households will get a check averaging $1,051.
The average New Jersey homeowner pays about $6,330 per year in property taxes.
The plan initially called for the state to directly credit a homeowner's tax bill, but Treasury officials were unable to create such a system, so homeowners will have to apply and wait for a check. Applications must be filed by Aug. 15.
Under the program, households who earn up to $100,000 would get a 20 percent cut; up to $150,000 would get a 15 percent cut; and up to $250,000 would get a 10 percent cut. This plan is explained amid the application's 11 pages of directions, but never specifically spells out how much a person will receive.
"I do not know the dollar amount I will be receiving,'' said Patrick McGowan of Brielle.
Tulecki, a 65-year-old notary public, also didn't know what she'll get back and questioned why she even has to apply for a rebate to begin with.
"I don't understand -- since I paid and filed my taxes, put them away and then had to pull them out for information, -- why this information has to be entered,'' she said.
Barry Jacobson of Manalapan said he also doesn't have a clear understanding of how much he'll receive. His wife is disabled and, since disabled and senior citizens file under separate applications, Jacobson said he's unsure how the new program affects help they got last year.
"They have no parameters,'' Jacobson said.
Others said they found the application straightforward, but that didn't mitigate their frustration with property taxes that are twice the national average.
"I do resent getting a 20 percent rebate and having Jersey City raise the property taxes,'' said Mary Lou Poppe, 70, who has seen property taxes on her small condo increase by about $1,000 in recent years to $4,200. ``I feel like I am on a merry-go-round. The state gives and the city takes it back.''
The rebate applications were sent just as residents began receiving this year's property tax bills.
Myra D'Agostino of Edison makes $23,000 per year as a medical aide and sees property taxes consume 25 percent of her income.
"I don't know what to do,'' she said.
New Jersey uses property taxes to pay for most county and local government and school operations. D'Agostino thinks such taxes should be based on income, not property. The Legislature rejected that switch when debating property tax overhauls last year.
D'Agostino has one solution in mind -- waiting for November when all 120 legislative seats will be on the ballot.
"I can't wait for election time,'' she said, adding she'll be voting for non-incumbents.
>>>”I can’t wait for election time,’’ she said, adding she’ll be voting for non-incumbents.
“GRIP” means Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians!!!!
http://www.johnatuttle.com/grip.html
>>>”If you don’t GRIP, you have no right to gripe.”<<<
That's gotta be a function of state laws/policies (Connecticut vs New York).
It must be nice to be a homeowner who is actually allowed to apply for a rebate.
Did mine online. Very confusing web site but I got my confirmation #.
When we lived, I was SHOCKED by how low the property taxes were. They were practically nothing.
I really don’t understand what we didn’t have in those rural areas that we supposedly have here in NJ. (service wise)
This year, we are suppose to all qualify for a percentage of the rebate.
Last year, we didn’t.
"I don't understand -- since I paid and filed my taxes, put them away and then had to pull them out for information, -- why this information has to be entered,'' she said.
Because they are HOPING you will give up in frustration, therefore they can KEEP what is rightfully yours to begin with.
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