Treasury to launch online portal to modernize New Jersey’s farmland assessment program
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s Division of Taxation is preparing to launch a new online portal for the state’s Farmland Assessment program, a move officials say will modernize the decades-old system, improve eligibility enforcement and reduce improperly granted benefits.
The Farmland Assessment program, created in 1964, allows farmland and woodland acres actively used for agricultural or horticultural purposes to be assessed at their productivity value rather than market value, lowering taxes for qualified landowners. Tax assessors determine eligibility, and farmers currently apply using paper forms.
Treasury officials said the new digital filing system — developed in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture — is in its testing phase and expected to launch in 2026 for the 2027 tax year. Centralizing applications online will allow staff to more efficiently audit assessor-approved applications, shorten review times and place greater emphasis on physical property inspections.
“This streamlined approach to the application process is designed to protect the integrity of the successful Farmland Assessment program,” Treasury said, noting the program’s long-standing role in preserving agricultural land and supporting the Garden State’s farming heritage. Officials said farmers, landowners, tax assessors and taxpayers will all benefit from a simplified system that discourages improper applications and ensures qualified applicants receive the correct benefits.
“With the launch of this online portal, the Farmland Assessment program will become more efficient at all stages of the process,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “This much-needed modernization will support the success of this program and farmers throughout the Garden State for years to come.”
New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said the new system represents an important update to a historically paper-driven program. “Modernizing the Farmland Assessment application process is a critical step in enhancing this decades-old program, enabling more inspections and strengthening the program’s accessibility and integrity,” he said. “By reducing paperwork and moving to a streamlined, digital system, staff can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time where it matters most, on the ground stewarding New Jersey’s forest resources.”
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn said the portal will directly reduce the administrative burden on farmers. “This is a big step forward in reducing the paperwork many New Jersey farmers face in their operations,” he said. “The program will link each farm with all parcels recorded to the owner, reducing the number of forms a producer must file and cutting down on time and paperwork.”
Jack Curtis, a retired educator who attended the governor’s State of the State address as a special guest, praised the administration’s efforts. “Governor Murphy and his Administration have worked hard to make the farmland assessment more effective,” Curtis said. “By championing legislation, increasing the sales threshold, and creating this online filing system, the Governor has demonstrated his commitment to accountability and responsiveness.”
The Division of Taxation encourages residents to visit its website for updates as the new application portal approaches its launch.
