Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Franklin Township - Division of Assessment Administration to assess all real estate within the borders of this municipality at its true value on October 1 of the pretax year. The purpose of assessments is for the equitable distribution of real estate taxes.
The laws of the state of New Jersey, specifically N.J.S.A 54:4-23, set forth the fundamental function of the Tax Assessor to assess all real property on an annual basis:
"All real property shall be assessed to the person owning the same on October 1, in each year. The Assessor shall ascertain the names of the owners of all real property situated in his taxing district, and after examination and inquiry, determine the full and fair value of each parcel of real property situated in the taxing district at such price as, in his judgment, it would sell for at a fair and bona fide sale by private contract on October 1 next preceding the date on which the Assessor shall complete his assessment."
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54: 4-34, the Tax Assessor operates under the guidance of the Director of the Division of Taxation and the County Board of Taxation. Accordingly, the governing body has no right whatsoever to examine or influence the Assessor as to valuation and assessment method since the responsibilities of the Assessor are independent of control by the Municipal Government.
