Bergen County Property Tax Appeal — New Jersey

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Bergen County, the county seat in Hackensack, is home to 70 municipalities and nearly one million residents. With an effective property tax rate of 2.73%, Bergen County's rate is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. The average Bergen County homeowner pays about 2.04% of their home's value in property taxes each year. Bergen County's median property tax bill is about $11,253 per year, more than three times the U.S. median of $2,400. This high tax burden makes property tax appeals particularly valuable for Bergen County homeowners seeking relief from assessments that may not accurately reflect their property's true market value.

Notable cities: Hackensack, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Ridgewood, Englewood, Paramus, Fair Lawn

Median Home

$482,300

Tax Rate

2.73%

Annual Tax

$11,253

Population

950,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: April 1 or 45 days from the date assessment notifications are mailed, whichever is later

The standard deadline is April 1, but if assessment notices are mailed late, you have 45 days from the mailing date. Where a municipal revaluation or reassessment has been undertaken, petitions must be filed and received by May 1st.

Property in Bergen County, New Jersey — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Bergen County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Municipal Tax Assessors

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: February-March

In Bergen County, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value as determined by your municipal assessor. This means your assessed value should equal your property's fair market value. For example, if your home's market value is $482,300 (Bergen County's median), at New Jersey's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $482,300, resulting in approximately $13,167 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 2.73%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Taxation. Your hearing will be before the five-member Bergen County Board of Taxation appointed by the governor, with the municipality represented by their attorney. The municipal assessor and/or appraiser may appear as expert witnesses for the municipality.

Receive your annual property assessment notice in February/March and review it carefully for accuracy

File your appeal petition (Form A-1) with the Bergen County Board of Taxation by April 1 or within 45 days of notice mailing

If using expert testimony, supply appraisal reports to the assessor and Board members at least 7 days before your hearing

Attend your scheduled hearing before the Bergen County Board of Taxation where you'll present evidence of your property's true market value

If dissatisfied with the Board's judgment, file an appeal with the NJ Tax Court within 45 days of receiving the decision

Required form: Form A-1 and Form A-1 Comp

Filing Methods

online:Online filing available at Bergen County Board of Taxation website

mail:Two Bergen County Plaza, 1st Floor, Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076

in-person:Bergen County Board of Taxation office at Two Bergen County Plaza, 1st Floor

Evidence to Bring

Photographs of your property and comparable propertiesRecent comparable sales near the October 1 assessment dateIncome statements for rental properties (required)

Bergen County Assessor Contact

Bergen County Board of Taxation

Phone: ((201) 336-6300

Address: Two Bergen County Plaza, 1st Floor, Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076

Website: https://bergencountynj.gov/boards-commissions/about-board-of-taxation/

Online Portal: https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bergen-county-board-of-taxation

Tax Exemptions in Bergen County

Homestead Rebate (ANCHOR)

$30 to $500

For homeowners and tenants whose gross income is below $100,000 (if 65+ or disabled) or $40,000 (others)

Eligibility: Homeowners and tenants with income below thresholdsDeadline: Through NJ Income Tax Returns (Form HR-1040)

Senior/Disabled Property Tax Deduction

$250 annually

Annual deduction for those 65+ or disabled, with income under $10,000, excluding Social Security

Eligibility: Must own and live in the homeDeadline: Apply at municipal Tax Assessor's office

Veterans Deduction

$250 annually

Annual property tax deduction for qualifying veterans or unremarried widows

Eligibility: Must be a NJ citizen before October 1st of the tax yearDeadline: October 1st

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

Full property tax exemption

NJ residents who are 100% permanently disabled veterans or surviving spouses of such veterans may receive full tax exemption on their home

Eligibility: 100% permanently disabled veterans or their surviving spousesDeadline: Through NJ Income Tax Returns

Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze)

The difference between current and base year taxes

For those 65+ or disabled, who have lived in NJ for at least 10 years and in their home for at least 3 years

Eligibility: 65+ or disabled, 10 years NJ residency, 3 years in homeDeadline: March 15th

Official Resources

Bergen County Board of Taxation →

Official county website for filing property tax appeals and accessing forms, hearing dates, and filing instructions

NJ Division of Taxation - Assessment and Appeals →

State resource explaining the property tax appeal process, deadlines, and requirements for all New Jersey counties

Bergen County Municipal Assessors Directory →

Contact information for all 70 Bergen County municipal tax assessors to verify assessment details or request property record cards

Check Your Bergen County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Bergen County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Bergen County?

The deadline to appeal your property taxes in Bergen County is April 1 or 45 days from the date the assessment notifications are mailed by your municipality, whichever is later. If your municipality underwent a revaluation or reassessment, the deadline extends to May 1st. For added or omitted assessments, you can appeal by December 1st. Make sure to mark your calendar as soon as you receive your assessment notice in February or March to avoid missing this critical deadline.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Bergen County online?

The Bergen County Board of Taxation offers online filing for property assessment appeals and strongly encourages taxpayers to use this convenient option. You can file online through the Bergen County Board of Taxation website. You'll need to complete Form A-1 and Form A-1 Comp (comparable sales) as part of your appeal. The online system provides immediate confirmation of receipt and helps avoid potential mail delays or delivery issues that could cause you to miss the filing deadline.

What evidence do I need for a Bergen County property tax appeal?

You'll need photographs of both your property and comparable properties to illustrate your argument. The most important evidence is recent comparable sales data from properties similar to yours, with sales dates close to the October 1 assessment date. If you own rental income property, you must supply income statements at the time of filing on special forms provided by the Tax Board. If using expert testimony, you must provide appraisal reports to the assessor and Board members at least 7 days before your hearing. Remember that credible evidence must be supported by facts, not assumptions or beliefs.

What happens at a Bergen County Board of Taxation hearing?

Your appeal hearing will be before the Bergen County Board of Taxation, which consists of five members appointed by the governor. The municipality will be represented by their attorney, and the assessor and/or an appraiser may appear as expert witnesses. You must prove your assessment is unreasonable compared to market value, as your current assessment is by law assumed to be correct. The hearings are public meetings, and if you don't attend, your case will be dismissed for lack of prosecution.

Can I appeal directly to the NJ Tax Court instead of Bergen County?

If your property is assessed for more than $750,000, you can appeal directly to the New Jersey State Tax Court. Properties with assessments greater than $1,000,000 also have this option. The deadline for direct Tax Court filing is April 1 annually. This option allows you to bypass the County Board of Taxation entirely. If you go through the County Board first and are dissatisfied with their judgment, you have 45 days from the date of final judgment to appeal to the Tax Court.

How much does the senior property tax freeze save in Bergen County?

The Property Tax Reimbursement program, known as the Senior Freeze, reimburses the difference between your current year's property taxes and your base year taxes. For example, if your base year taxes were $10,000 and current taxes are $12,000, you'd receive a $2,000 reimbursement. To qualify, you must be 65+ or disabled, have lived in New Jersey for at least 10 years, and owned and lived in your current home for at least 3 years. Applications are due by March 15th each year. For more information, call(800) 882-6597.

What is the Chapter 123 test for Bergen County property tax appeals?

The New Jersey Legislature adopted the Chapter 123 formula in 1973 to test assessment fairness - once the Tax Board determines your property's true market value during an appeal, they automatically compare it to your assessment. If the ratio of your assessment to true value exceeds the average ratio by 15%, your assessment is automatically reduced to the common level. If your assessment falls within this common level range, no adjustment will be made. You should inquire about your district's average ratio before filing an appeal, as this determines whether your property qualifies for a reduction even if slightly overassessed.

How are added assessments handled differently in Bergen County?

New construction, structural additions and improvements completed after October 1 are valued and taxed under the Added Assessment Law, with tax bills generally sent in October and payable on November 1. If you disagree with an Added or Omitted Assessment, you can appeal it to the Bergen County Board of Taxation prior to December 1. You'll need to file Form AA-1 for these appeals instead of the standard A-1 form. The deadline is December 1 of the levy year or within 30 days of the bulk mailing of those tax bills, whichever is later. This separate process ensures property improvements are taxed fairly while giving owners adequate time to appeal if they believe the added value is incorrect.

For state-wide appeal information including New Jersey's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our New Jersey Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More New Jersey Counties

Essex County (Newark)Hudson County (Jersey City)Middlesex County (New Brunswick)Monmouth County (Freehold)Ocean County (Toms River)

← All New Jersey property tax appeal info

Sources: https://bergencountynj.gov/boards-commissions/about-board-of-taxation/ | https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bergen-county-board-of-taxation | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/new-jersey/bergen-county | https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/lpt/lpt-appeal.shtml | https://bergencountynj.gov/faq/tax-appeals/

Last verified: 2026-02-15