Tax Assessor

Michael Bernardin, CTA
Tax Assessor
Phone: (856) 783-0284 ext. 218
Mbernardin@clementon-nj.com

OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday evening 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Assessor’s Office Functions – Responsibilities
The Municipal Assessor and the Assessor’s Office have the statutory responsibility of maintaining property record data for all properties within the Township.

The Assessor is responsible to the citizens of the municipality for the determination of the market value of all real estate within the borough for assessing purposes. This is to assure uniformity of value and that the fair share of the tax burden is being distributed equitably.

The Municipal Assessor maintains tax maps and all property record information which is utilized for Ad-Valorem purposes.  Copies of recorded deeds can be obtained from the Camden County Clerk’s Office. 

Request for a copy of a Property Record Card must be submitted in writing.  You can email the request to the Assessor’s Office, be sure to include the block and lot number of the PRC you are requesting.

About Your Assessment
Property assessments are determined by the fair market value of the property (i.e. what a property would sell for on the open market between a willing buyer and willing seller).  Property assessments were established and certified by the County and State to be at 100% of market value during the last reassessment in 2018.

Since all assessments are an opinion of value, the State allows for assessments to be within +/15% of market value to be deemed correct.  Property owners who disagree with their assessment receive an annual Notice of Assessment on or by February 1st of every year and have from February 1st to April 1st to file an appeal with the Camden County Board of Taxation. The burden of proof is on the property owner to show that the property is over-valued and evidence must be provided.

The Camden County Board of Taxation accepts on-line appeals at www.mynjappeal.com.

Additionally, every October, all assessors file a list of properties that allows them to assess new construction, additions, renovations and other improvements to properties that have been completed in that calendar year.  To determine the Added Assessment, the property is valued in its totality at full market value (not just the portion that was added) then the existing assessment is subtracted. The improvement is valued as of the first day of the month following when it is substantially completed for its intended use.

Please note that the completion date, as determined by the Assessor, is not the same as the date of C.O., C.A. or construction office final inspection. Not scheduling a final inspection for your building permit does not delay the Added Assessment. Furthermore, not getting a permit does not prevent the Added Assessment. An assessment of an improvement is made regardless of whether there was a permit or not.

The Added Assessments tax bills are mailed in October and are due on November 1st. The deadline for filing an Added Assessment is December 1st.

Property Tax Deductions & Exemptions
The State of New Jersey, administered through the local municipal Assessor & Tax Collector’s Offices, makes available property tax deductions to qualifying property owners. Each deduction has specific qualifications/prerequisites that must be met and requires the filing of an application.  Forms for deductions and exemptions can be made available upon request.