Upon the filing or entering of the first paper or proceeding in any action or proceeding in the tax court, the plaintiff or any person filing a counterclaim shall pay to the clerk of the court, for use of the State, $75.00 for the first paper filed by him, which shall cover all fees payable therein, except a lesser fee may be provided by rule of court, and except further, that no filing fee shall be required upon the filing of a responsive pleading by a taxing district.
N.J.S. § 54:51A-19