Ask Away: Why Are New Jersey Property Taxes So High?

New Jersey has 565 municipalities, 583 school districts and 21 county governments. Add in the generally high cost of goods and services and you can begin to see why the state's property taxes have been the highest in the nation for years.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: bit.ly/1ERsYqw
*More info & videos below*
For full episodes, check out www.njtvnews.org/
Facebook: / njtvonline
Twitter: / njtvnews
-----------------
NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams is a week-nightly news program on NJTV covering local New Jersey news as well as a multi-platform, local information source for New Jersey. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood here: bit.ly/1GnSEtn NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams airs every weeknight at 6, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJTV.

[@MrPappysCobra]

NJ is full of crooks!

[@mimic.7211]

Too MANY POLITICIANS!!

[@FedUp-bd4gv]

They need to dissolve the NJEA and let the state run the schools and remove the school tax from the property owners. If you have kids in the school a fee should be charged for each kid. Retirees and seniors are leaving by the hundreds because they can't afford too stay in homes that they have lived in for decades.

[@nicholasthompson7690]

Fed Up They’ll put up a massive fight

[@Marina1686]

Merge municipalities, every three blocks it's a new town/borough... How is it possible that a town/borough is only a square mile, ridiculous!!

[@nicholasthompson7690]

Marina F I have the same question

[@goldshadow534]

Tell me about it. Look up Guttenberg, NJ it is only 4 streets... ridiculous

[@mynameisnotimportant2854]

@@goldshadow534 😮

[@WhatTheHeckTV]

rip off state

[@jmjfanss]

And phil murphy will only make things even worse.

[@TonyVerrazano]

Phil Murphy is a disease worse than the virus. He killed off many businesses last year.

[@Lcab-bh3wx]

So the solution is to fire 50% of state employees and merge half of the Township.

[@retmsgtinpa.8252]

Small borough in Western Pennsylvania. School tax bill? $228. Property tax bill? $347. Fire department? All volunteer, no government funding. Police department? Two part-time officers. Municipal employees? One part-time treasurer/secretary and one part-time maintenance worker. State income tax? 1% for everyone. Retirement? Not taxed.

[@robertruschak7083]

The people that promote “big gov” is to support either ISM and their public sector pension funds and golden health care packages …. Very few big corporations provide a pension fund…

[@judytrimble9726]

New Jersey has some of the worst school's like Camden Patterson and so on

[@ToasterWaffles]

Most of Bergen counties schools are amaing.

[@ahmadx1x1thebestnickname71]

We do not have the best education

[@Vinny339]

Depends on the area. Overall NJ is sitting at the #1 best school ranking in the country

[@robevans8629]

Lifelong New Jerseyan, why's it so expensive? Corrupt to the core Democratic swamprats

[@jeancadet5862]

Yesss

[@mikerieck306]

Why would anybody move to New Jersey and if you are retired why would you stay?

[@anotherland2462]

The food?

[@stevenfetzer4911]

NYC is so bad we have people dreaming of living in New Jersey.

[@BeardGawd88]

@@stevenfetzer4911 😂😂😂

[@miket9756]

I’ve heard it’s a beautiful state overall.

[@mikerieck306]

@@miket9756 For the most part it is a beautiful state.....and I mean that. It goes to so how liberal policies and politicians can screw up a perfectly good piece of real estate.

[@lance3451]

most local officials have multiple jobs and collect multiple pensions: corruption!

[@retmsgtinpa.8252]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has 67 county governments, within such are 1,549 townships, 939 boroughs and 57 cities. In many of the townships and boroughs, the positions are unpaid (township supervisors and borough council members); the borough mayor may receive only a stipend, payment restricted by state law. Pennsylvania may have more police departments (Pa.'s 1,117 vs. N.J.'s 550), but has few sworn officers (Pa.'s 27,413 vs. N.J.'s 33,704). You want to see police and pay for them? Go to New Jersey, they've got some 389 per 100,000. Don't want to see them? Pennsylvania has only 218 per 100,000, far less expensive. 85% of Pennsylvania is covered by VOLUNTEER fire departments, no government salaries involved.

[@goodinventor]

The only real solution is for the State of NJ to be sued in Federal Court. When one State oppresses its people with outrageous property taxes because of its policies and laws, it is up to the Federal Government to step in and force the State to change these same oppressive policies and laws. One consideration would be to force the Municipalities to consolidate with other Municipalities and/ or into County Governments like in other States.

[@LSCBTHEWAVY]

The feds ARE LITERALLY THE ONES TAXING THE STATE

[@LSCBTHEWAVY]

And the state big homies like dannnnggggg I gotta tax my people and so on and so forth

[@smugglinpuppies]

I agree on federal court!!! ……….Wait combine police lol that’s what happened in my town and they had to hire more more more officers with super chargers and suvs as cop cars O and now they must redo all the buildings so it can hold all the cops SMFH. Every change is a reason for more money I’m so sick of it. I got my orice if my home lowed a lot and I was told it will take a few years to show the change !! SMFH not fair

[@MrPrentissDJones]

Highest taxation state in the country, higher than California and New York!

[@TonyVerrazano]

Bleeding us to death. That's why so many people are leaving. Everyone seems to have an exit plan. My family is here and I have no plan on leaving but I hope we can turn this thing around.

[@JeezWhiz1]

It will NOT turn around because there are too many people in these towns with too many municipal jobs, some of which were grandfathered from one generation to another. Cronyism runs rampant in small NJ towns. If these municipalities consolidated their resources too many comfy townsfolk would lose their jobs. Dude, MOVE TO ANOTHER STATE,,, preferably SOUTH. You will get much more for your money.

[@robertruschak7083]

Because “public sector Gov “ servants are collecting 6 figure pension funds, whereas MOST private sector and small business owners have to create their own retirement funds……

[@lukethompson5558]

@@robertruschak7083 Most of these small towns now spend MORE on pension payments and retiree healthcare, than they do for ACTIVE workers. It’s insane

[@robertruschak7083]

@@lukethompson5558 The people benefiting from these broke pension funds KNOW full well they are broke We already know which party they will vote for and will moan for HIGHER TAXES to maintain the broke system Most people on this planet have to create their own retirement…. A smaller percentage of people will relate to people collecting public sector pension funds 🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦🏦

[@zyxwut321]

Just too many layers. New Jersey and other Northeastern states should consolidate their local governments much more. The newer Sun Belt areas of the country (where many people from New Jersey and similar Northeastern and Midwestern states are fleeing to) tend to be county-based and have fewer costs. Of course as the economies and populations of fast growing states like Florida, Texas and Arizona continue to mature these states will also be saddled with much of the same debt and same problems. Many of those states also have mirage economies of lots of low-wage service sector jobs propping up the population growth and housing bubbles, only to cyclically burst and withdraw. No place has all the answers.

[@nicholasthompson7690]

zyxwut321 That won’t happen in New England. They like it as it is

[@Aridzonia1]

Its the Abbott ruling for schools. They take money from the towns and give it t school systems like newark and paterson who then take the money and give big paychecks, cars equipt and if someone complains, the state supreme court says you are not allowed to. Thus the board of eds continue to hold meetings in Hawaii. If the law makers would change this abbott ruling, it would end. But, they insist on going by what the court says as oppossed to changing the law. I lived there for 50 yrs. retired and ran to AZ

[@Imperial0666]

Hawaii doesn't even have school districts.

[@hammer3353]

The governor labeling it as a sanctuary state doesn't help.

[@josephflora6472]

BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT WITH THIS SWAMP AND ARE ALL MOVEING OUT, SO THEY HAVE TO RAISE TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR THOSE MOVING OUT. IM NEXT

[@BeardGawd88]

So did you move? If so, where?

[@wmoy8507]

Left New Jersey over 35 years ago and never look back. If I had stayed, I would not be able to retire at age 56 with the super high taxes in NJ. The government workers can with the great benefits they get from the tax payer's money but other people, good luck if you can even retire at age 65.

[@sammara0929]

May I ask which state you moved?

[@sharonpeterson5501]

Because every single politician is corrupt.

[@JasonHeilmanMusicalRemedies]

It’s the privilege of living In a top 5 state...... hahahahahahahahahahaaaa

[@Mike-vn6pr]

Its funny how they compare NJ to Maryland. Maryland is “bigger” , yeah geographically. But what they fail to mention is that NJ has over 3 more million people hence it’s way more densely populated. So good luck with “regional” districts/counties. See how response time works out for you when you need emergency services the most.

[@luiscruz679]

This is giving my flashbacks to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 67 municipalities in a island that is 100 miles long by 35 miles across it’s crazy .

[@marcchristopher856]

Completely agree that regional and county level services would be a better and more economically efficient way to provide alot of local services.

[@onlyscience7120]

where you can buy multi million mansion with $40,000 property tax bills for peanuts.

[@zan6518]

40k would be like a 1,5million home

[@johnstezar4219]

Did you know reservoirs in NJ pay no taxes for all that land and water....but they charge towns for it.

[@jefftiger9258]

some towns own the reserviors like paterson passic and clifton . newark owns a bunch also as do some counties like passaic and bergen people like living around them because of the quite and forest

[@Michael-jd5vf]

Wish I knew about this before buying a house in NJ

[@LSCBTHEWAVY]

3:39 DUDE WAS LIKE 👁👄👁 I THINK..THINK WE SHOULD KEEP TAXIN THEM

[@dbaby3288]

If they are putting the tax money into work, i dont see why these home owners are complaining

[@GG-mr9iz]

What do they do with all out tax money in NJ. Theses mayors and governors should be investigated. We are constantly taxed yet there is nothing special about this boring state. Even NJ Nets left us for Brooklyn. Need I say more?

[@jetlongextra]

So,that's do it, to bring the property tax down.

[@thehighpointsofthestatesan9937]

13 municipalities per square mile

[@top3331]

Which town is picking a trash twice a week in NJ?BOGUS!Lived in NC(Wake County) and my property tax was only $2000 and had a better service!

[@walkingconifer]

I live in north Bergen, trash pick up on Monday Wednesday and Thursday

[@ahsanurr4219]

Laughing in NYC. My family and I pay state, local, and federal income taxes + property taxes + other taxes.

[@WhiteArrow76]

Cost isn't the only factor to consider. Is it really worth compromising public services?

[@howlinberry1645]

Sounds dirty to me

[@Michael-jd5vf]

This was good!

[@gracelikerain5039]

Not to mention easy pass charging 100 dollars for a 1.50 bill

[@MidnightRambler]

Slash the gov

[@linzwalker436]

So the people that complain about it don't live there

[@artheis1342]

PS, I have never hit a Pothole on public highways in my area, the sides of the roads are always mowed and there is never any trash on the sides of the road.

[@MillerMeteor74]

Okay. Now that we know why, let's see if they can do anything about it. I won't believe it till I see it.

[@thehighpointsofthestatesan9937]

Consolidation is the answer, not disincorporation

[@afterdark6822]

NJ is a rippoff.

[@alexajones147]

My son lives in Woodbridge NJ The taxes keep rising every four months. I think he should move back to NYC. Any feedback regarding this township would be greatly appreciated

[@reignrobinson7951]

Moving to NYC is not the answer!!!!

[@smugglinpuppies]

But there are soooooooo many homes always new developments don’t they get taxed yes they do but it also gives them a reason to raise the taxes on old old homes sad sad I see sooo much wasted good stuff at the high school I walk around. Lol twice a week lol not I don’t even want to get started on how this video didn’t explain it …. I should only be taxed on what I used the year before not what everyone else uses and waste

[@Xyos212]

Tommy Chong reading this>?

[@blackwaterdogs4256]

A friend of mine has a nice home on about a quarter-acre in Upper Montclair (Essex County), and his taxes are $35,000 (yes, 35 THOUSAND dollars) a year, and he`s expecting an increase of up to $15,000 on top of that !

[@nicholasthompson7690]

Black Waterdogs wow

[@largemouthbassman5628]

I can’t wait to move out of this hell hole

[@carlo6912]

That is criminal.

[@jefftiger9258]

lets start buy breaking up a city like paterson where two towns changed there names because (east and west ) of what paterson is and will be. let the surrounding towns absorb peices of it one problem solved .east orange newark camden ac ect and do the same. then start merging towns

[@bamarock929]

Can't wait to leave this year.

[@nicholasthompson7690]

jeremy Richardson where you going?

[@bamarock929]

@@nicholasthompson7690 Alabama

[@terrybeck29]

on our Facebook page - Recall Phil Murphy Petition. . .like and get updates, info, and the petition 'once it's approved'!!!

[@duanek6051]

Christies appetite

[@stevecoyle1]

Use this prayer, if you like, to fight the enemy. State of NJ government qualifies as evil: In the name of my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ, by whose shed blood has washed away my sins on the finished work of the cross, I will wear the full armor of God to reject, and defeat, Satan and his minions. By the power invested in me by the Lord Jesus I will stand in the gap with the army of God to compel his retreat from our hearts, minds and souls until he is cast into the lake of fire. Along with my brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ we will awaken the sleeping spirits to the enemy’s evil of (1. polluting our atmosphere, food and water, 2. revealing and removing corrupt political and religious leaders, etc...or add your own target focused prayer) and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us.

[@melissamoats624]

Steve where I live isn't bad it's small college town in shippensburg pa lots of warehouse jobs and warehouse workers need they can't fill fast enough so if anyone's looking move find work

[@Refresh2b]

Every State should take notes. Go Murphy!

[@jmcclinton8]

Right wing propaganda! 👆🏾

[@melissamoats624]

jmcclinton8 more like the left.are crooks snakes

[@haroldbaldwin6849]

tell that to my tax bill