Why are New Jersey property taxes so high?

New Jersey ranks among the highest in the country for property taxes, and Bergen County sits near the top of that list. In this episode, Kathleen explains the structural reasons: the reliance on local property taxes to fund K–12 education, the fragmented municipal structure (567 municipalities, each with its own budget), and the political constraints that have kept reform elusive for decades.

She breaks down where your tax bill actually goes — local school district, municipal services, county government, and special districts — and why two towns five miles apart can have tax rates that differ by 30%. Understanding the breakdown helps you evaluate whether a town's tax rate reflects good services, inefficient government, or simply a different assessed-value methodology.

The episode closes with the practical upside: New Jersey's Senior Freeze program, the Veterans' deduction, and the Homestead Benefit — credits that can meaningfully reduce your annual tax bill if you qualify.