REALTY TRANSFER FEE – REFUND CLAIM OF 1% GRANTEE FEE - FARM – MANSION TAX
Tax Court: Matrix Bordentown, Lot 2, LLC v. Director, Division of Taxation, Docket No. 013007-2019; opinion by Bedrin Murray, J.T.C., decided March 25, 2025. For plaintiff – Joseph G. Buro (Zipp & Tannenbaum, LLC, attorneys); for defendant – Anthony D. Tancini (Matthew Platkin, Attorney General of New Jersey, attorney).
Held: Plaintiff challenges defendant’s denial of its claim for refund of the one percent realty transfer fee imposed on a grantee in transfers greater than $1,000,000 for certain classes of real property. In cross-motions for summary judgment, the parties urge contrary interpretations of N.J.S.A. 46:15-7.2(a)2(a), which imposes the fee upon the transfer of Class 3A farm property that includes a building or structure “intended or suited for residential use.” The fee includes any other real property transferred to the same grantee in conjunction with the 3A farm property. N.J.S.A. 46:15-7.2(a)(2)(b). In this matter, plaintiff purchased the property to develop as an industrial site. The transfer consisted of three subparcels, including a half-acre lot containing a vacant and dilapidated farmhouse which plaintiff intended to demolish. At deed recordation, plaintiff was assessed a transfer fee of one percent of the total deed consideration of $4,703,160 based on the existence of a structure intended for residential use on the 3A farm parcel. Plaintiff contends that by “intended”, the Legislature meant the intent of the grantee as to the future use of the farmhouse, and that by “suited for”, the Legislature meant suitable for habitation. The court concludes that the plain language of the statute militates against this interpretation. Further, it is not reasonable to conclude that the Legislature intended for the application of the 1% fee to be decided based on subjective measurements. Moreover, defendant’s interpretation of tax statutes carries a presumption of validity. Provided defendant’s application of tax statutes is not plainly unreasonable, the court shall accord due deference to same. Summary judgment is granted in favor of defendant. Plaintiff’s complaint is dismissed with prejudice.
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