 Oppose Elimination of Attention New Jersey Resident, Within the last year, members of the public sector, as well as members of NJAR® signed a petition from the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® opposing increases in the realty transfer tax. Thankfully, state decision makers have refrained from raising transfer taxes. Unfortunately, there is another issue of great concern to New Jersey homeowners. Governor Jon Corzine recently announced plans to eliminate the ability for all non-senior households, regardless of income, to deduct property taxes from their state tax filings. The elimination of the deduction is expected to raise $420 million in revenue, which will be used to fund a greatly scaled back property tax rebate program that only reaches a select few. As the leading advocate for homeowners and the real estate industry in the state, the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) is adamantly opposed to this proposal. As a concerned citizen, we ask that you join us in fighting this harmful plan. As you may know, efforts to do away with this important deduction amounts to a hidden tax. The elimination of the deduction may end up costing a family $200 to $500. Cutting the deduction to help fund the rebate program will only exacerbate New Jersey’s fiscal woes. The rebate program is a short-term fix that does not offer a long-term solution to our state’s crippling property tax dilemma. Moreover, the elimination of the deduction would go to fund a program that assists a small group of residents. Under this plan, rebates would be maintained at current levels for seniors, the disabled and families earning less than $50,000 a year. Households making $50,000 to $75,000 a year would only receive two-thirds of the rebate they received last year. The fact is even some families who receive a rebate will be prevented from claiming this crucial deduction. Send a message to our lawmakers that we must get our economy going again by protecting the dream of homeownership. Let Trenton know skyrocketing property taxes threaten the economic well-being of the Garden State. Please join us in urging the Legislature to oppose the elimination of property owners’ ability to deduct property taxes from their state filings. Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Below is the sample letter: Subject: Say No to Elimination of Property Tax Deduction Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here], As a concerned citizen, I am writing to ask that you oppose Governor Jon Corzine's budget proposal to suspend property tax deductions on state income taxes for all non-senior households next year. The elimination of the deduction is expected to raise $420 million in revenue with funding going towards property tax rebates for a small group of residents. Governor Corzine's plan to do away with the property tax deduction in order to fund the rebate program is misguided and amounts to a backdoor tax. The elimination of the deduction may end up costing a family $200 to $500. While some may say that is a nominal sum, all the costs placed on taxpayers add up. For New Jersey residents who are already bearing the highest tax burden in the nation, this proposal is disheartening. Furthermore, the rebate program is a short-term fix that does not offer a long-lasting remedy to New Jersey's devastating property tax crisis. While families with incomes below $75,000 will still receive a rebate, this proposal does nothing to assist the general public. The fact is even some families who receive a rebate will be prevented from claiming this essential deduction. New Jersey's property tax problem continues to spiral out of control with the average tax bill coming in over $7,000. The elimination of this important deduction is adding insult to injury. At a time when many families are sitting around their kitchen tables trying to find a way to afford to stay in their homes, our lawmakers should be looking to lessen New Jersey's tax burden. Right now, Trenton should be working to truly reform our failed property tax system. This more than anything would get our economy going again. It is time to focus on jumpstarting the Garden State's economy by encouraging homeownership. I am urging you to protect homeowners and the quality of life in our state by opposing Governor Corzine's proposal to eliminate property tax deductions on state income taxes. Thank you. Sincerely, [Your Name Here] |
