How Property Tax Works
Bergen County operates on New Jersey's property tax system, where property taxes serve as the primary funding mechanism for local government services, school districts, and county operations. Property owners in Bergen County pay taxes that support essential services including public education, police and fire protection, road maintenance, libraries, and municipal services. The county consistently ranks among New Jersey's lower tax rate jurisdictions, holding the 3rd lowest county tax rate in the state at approximately 0.422%.
Bergen County property tax rates vary significantly by municipality, with recent rates ranging from approximately 2.2% to 2.7% of assessed value. The total effective tax rate combines multiple components including municipal taxes, school district taxes, county taxes, and any special district assessments. Property assessments in Bergen County are conducted at the municipal level, with each town's tax assessor responsible for determining fair market values and applying applicable exemptions.