Q&A On The Upcoming Hickory Hill Estates Property Tax Appeal

The following questions were part of a telephone interview where I was able to ask Irene Szeglin for more information on the upcoming property tax appeal for Hickory Hill Estates.

Q: What Is a Property Tax Appeal?

A: A property tax appeal is basically a request that is submitted to your city/town/borough to lower the taxes that a homeowner is paying on their home as a result of a consistent decline in the appraised value of their home.

Q: How Will a Property Tax Appeal Help Residents of Hickory Hill Estates?

A: The property tax appeal will not only reduce your yearly tax burden, but it will also standardize the taxes paid by homeowners who have purchased the same model home at different periods in time. The property tax appeal will also help to make Totowa more competitive against other townships when competing for new residents. Within the borough, the property tax appeal will help Hickory Hill Estates become more competitive against other communities such as Dey Hill Farms.

Q: Who Came Up With This Idea?

A: As a both a resident and Realtor in the Hickory Hill Estates community, Irene Szeglin has watched the home values decline dramatically over the past few years.  During this same time frame, the property taxes that the residents are paying have continued to be fairly steep. Realizing that this disparity could be fixed, Irene suggested that the Hickory Hill HOA & COA boards look into the property tax appeal process.

Q: What Are The Requirements To Be a Part Of It?

A: A property tax appeal can only be done on an individual basis.  Because of this, the Hickory Hill HOA & COA boards have commissioned McCarter & English, LLP.  to send each community resident a letter and authorization form that when signed will allow them to represent the homeowner in the property tax appeal process.  McCarter & English, LLP. will be formally requesting relief on the 2010 property taxes as well as a reduction for the year 2011.

The property tax appeal must be filed no later than April 1, 2010 so all residents should have their authorizations returned prior to March 27, 2010.  There will be a meeting at the Hickory Hill clubhouse on March 16, 2010 where Mr. Ferruggia from McCarter & English, LLP. will answer any questions that residents may have regarding this process.