New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A5414

Introduced
3/6/25  

Caption

Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications.

Impact

The implications of this legislation are particularly beneficial for veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability, who may find it challenging to secure a mortgage given the current requirements imposed by lenders. The bill stipulates that financial institutions can evaluate mortgage applications without including property tax obligations, provided that a municipal assessor certifies the veteran's eligibility for a property tax exemption. This change will likely facilitate easier access to mortgages for eligible individuals, reducing their overall financial burden and helping them achieve housing stability.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5414 introduces a significant change in how mortgages are processed for certain disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in New Jersey. The legislation specifically prohibits state-chartered financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, from requiring these individuals to disclose their anticipated property tax obligations when applying for a mortgage. This adjustment aims to alleviate the financial burden on disabled veterans, particularly those who qualify for a property tax exemption due to their service-connected disabilities. By omitting property tax considerations from the mortgage qualification process, the bill seeks to improve access to home ownership for these veterans.

Contention

However, this legislation may face some contention regarding compliance and the potential for misinterpretation of eligibility criteria. For instance, the certification process relies on municipal assessors who must confirm the eligibility requirements other than property ownership. Critics may argue that this additional layer could be cumbersome for financial institutions and might lead to inconsistencies in application processing. Furthermore, there could be concerns on whether this initiative alone sufficiently addresses the broader challenges faced by disabled veterans in the housing market.

Companion Bills

NJ S4152

Same As Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications.

Previously Filed As

NJ A741

Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications.

NJ S3371

Prohibits certain financial institutions from requiring certain disabled veterans to include anticipated property tax obligations as part of mortgage applications.

NJ A2806

Makes annual compensation paid to surviving spouses of certain blind or disabled veterans payable from date of veteran's death.

NJ A1179

Exempts disabled veterans from certain fees at State parks and forests.

NJ A2815

Continues tax exempt status of certain real property owned by disabled veterans during reconstruction of homes destroyed by flood, storm, or other act of God.

NJ A1954

Allows gross income tax deduction for surviving spouses of certain veterans.

NJ A1068

Expands eligibility for disabled veterans' property tax exemption to include certain individuals with close personal relationship to deceased veteran.

NJ A1907

Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans.

NJ SJR14

Exempts certain disabled veterans from property taxes

NJ A4644

Modifies Stay NJ property tax credit program eligibility criteria to include certain claimants who relocate from homestead during tax year.

Similar Bills

CA SB1352

Property taxation: newly constructed: reconstructed property.

CA AB245

Property taxation: application of base year value: disaster relief.

CA SB1053

Property taxation: transfer of base year value: disaster relief.

CA SB603

An act to amend Section 69 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation, to take effect immediately, tax levy.

HI HB1398

Relating To Property.

HI HB1398

Relating To Property.

TX HB2011

Relating to the right to repurchase from a condemning entity certain real property for which ad valorem taxes are delinquent.