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Tax Collector
Note: August 2022 Tax Bills and Payment Postponed 2022/2023 tax bills will be mailed out shortly. The grace period has been extended until September 30, 2022, for 3rd Quarter taxes. For any questions, please call 732-251-0700, ext. 826.
The Tax Collector is responsible for the billing, collection, reporting and enforcement of municipal taxes for the Borough of Spotswood. The Borough of Spotswood operates on a calendar year budget. Tax bills are mailed once annually, typically during the month of July.
Property Taxes
Property taxes are due February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt you from paying taxes or the interest due on delinquent taxes. The Borough of Spotswood does permit a ten day grace period. Please be advised that the State of New Jersey does not allow the Tax Collector to acknowledge postmarks, therefore, the taxes must be received in our office on or before the 10th of the month due. Should the 10th fall on a weekend or legal holiday, you will have until the next business day to make payment. Payments will only be accepted if made by check, cash, or money order. We do not accept credit or debit cards.
As a statutory office of the State of New Jersey, the Tax Collector is obligated to follow all state statutes regarding property tax collection, including billing, due dates, interest on delinquent tax payments, and tax sale procedures.
It is important to note that taxes must be paid in full by December 31 for all State rebate programs. Failure to have the taxes paid by December 31 disqualifies you from receiving the Property Tax Reimbursement, also known as the Tax Freeze. Homestead rebates would be sent to the Tax Collector and may subject your property to tax sale.
You may pay your taxes online. Please note that there is a charge for this service.
Interest Charged on Unpaid Taxes
Any taxes remaining unpaid by the 1st of February, May, August, and November are subject to interest at the rate of 8% per year for delinquencies up to $1,500 and 18% per year for delinquencies over $1,500. Please note that once a delinquency reaches the 18% threshold, the account must be paid up to date before interest reverts back to 8%.
The Borough of Spotswood does provide a 10-day grace period for paying your taxes; however, on the 11th day, interest is charged from the actual due date of the 1st. It is also important to note that the date of receipt by the Tax Collector, not the mailing postmark, is used to determine the delinquency date. Any account with a current calendar year delinquency, together with accrued interest totaling $10,000 or more on December 31st, is subject to an additional 6% year-end penalty.
Call the Tax Office to determine the correct amount of interest to submit with any delinquent tax payment prior to sending the payment.
- What state rebate programs are available?
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There are two separate and distinct property tax relief programs available to New Jersey homeowners.
Property Tax Reimbursement Program
This program is commonly known as the Tax Freeze. It is designed to freeze the burden of increasing real estate taxes for qualified applicants by establishing a base year of eligibility, comparing that base year with any subsequent years, and refunding the difference to the eligible homeowner. Eligibility must be continuous, otherwise, a new base year would be established.
Qualifications are as follows:
- Must make application to the State annually
- Homeowners must be age 65 or older, or receiving Federal Social Security Disability Benefits, paying property taxes on the PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE in New Jersey
- Age requirements apply to the base year as well as the application year
- Must meet income limits as set by the State annually. Income limits apply to the base year as well as the application year
- Property taxes must be paid in full by December 31st of each year
- Failure to pay property taxes within the year due disqualifies the applicant. A new application would have to be filed the following year that would establish a new base year.
Application booklets are mailed out by the State in late January each year. For further information or to request an application, please contact the State of New Jersey at 800-882-6597 or visit the State of New Jersey website.
Homestead Rebate
Homestead rebates are sent by the State of New Jersey for qualified homeowners on their primary residence. The qualifications, income limitations, and amounts of the rebates vary and are determined by the State each year. In a few cases, your income tax return establishes eligibility; however, in most cases an application is required. Applications, when required, are sent by the State, usually in the spring.
For further information on Homestead type of rebates or to determine eligibility:
- Telephone: The State of New Jersey at 888-238-1233
- Email Homestead rebate questions
- Visit the website
- What do I do if my mortgage has been paid off?
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If there has been any change in your mortgage company, it is necessary to notify the Tax Collector of the change in writing. If your mortgage has been paid off, you must also notify the Tax Collector in writing to remove the bank from our records. The request must contain the block and lot number of the property, your mailing address, the bank name and address, and the signature of the owner. You may fax your mortgage company change of removal request to 732-251-1359, or email the Tax Collector.
- What do I do if my mortgage company pays my taxes and I receive the original bill?
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If your mortgage company is responsible to pay your taxes and you receive an original tax bill, kindly notify our office. We will verify the information and correct as needed. You may also want to forward the tax bill directly to your mortgage company for payment. Please be aware that it is the responsibility of every mortgage company that services an escrow account for the payment of taxes to send a written tax authorization notice informing the Borough of their responsibility of paying your taxes. If this form is not received we cannot notify your mortgage company of any payments or delinquencies and it also determines who gets what kind of bill. If you should have any questions pertaining to this topic, please feel free to call or email the Tax Collector.