Assessor Announces End to “Empathetic” Tax Reductions, Raises Senior Freeze Threshold

Manhattan Township homeowners will see two significant changes in property assessment rules, including the end of a long-standing practice of granting tax reductions for fire-damaged properties and a beneficial increase in the income threshold for the senior freeze exemption.

Assessor Joe Oldani, attending the May 13 township meeting via phone, reported the changes to the board. He announced his office will no longer be able to offer “empathetic reductions” to homeowners whose properties have been damaged or destroyed by fire. This informal policy had previously provided temporary tax relief to residents during a difficult time, but the practice is being discontinued.

On a more positive note for older residents, Oldani shared that the income threshold for the senior citizen assessment freeze homestead exemption has been increased. The eligibility limit has been raised to $75,000, allowing more seniors on fixed incomes to qualify for the program, which freezes the assessed value of their homes to prevent property tax increases.

Oldani also noted that his office has received relatively few phone calls regarding recent tax bills. He said the majority of inquiries have been from residents seeking information about available exemptions rather than questioning the amount of their bills.