Tax Collector
Description of Department:
The primary function of the Office of the Tax Collector is the preparation of tax and sewer bills on an annual basis for property owners and the collection of such. The Tax Office collects all tax money owed by Maplewood property owners for Municipal, County and School taxes.
According to New Jersey Law, failure to receive a tax bill does not excuse you from paying taxes on time or the interest due on delinquent taxes. Property taxes are due on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1. The Township does permit a 10 day grace period. The State of New Jersey does not permit postmarks as proof of payment. All payments must physically be in the Tax Office when we close at 4:30 in order to be credited that day. As a convenience, we have installed drop boxes at the front and rear door of the Municipal Building for Township payments. In order for payments to be credited the same day, they must be in the drop box before 4:30 pm of that business day. The Tax Office is open the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month until 7:00 pm except in June, July and August. All payments may be made by cash, check or money order, unless otherwise notified. Tax and sewer payments may be made on-line at the Township website www.twp.maplewood.nj.us
Property taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of the property, multiplied by the tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the Tax Assessor. The tax rate is set and certified by the Essex County Board of Taxation.
As a statutory officer of the State of New Jersey, the Tax Collector is obligated to follow all the State Statutes regarding property tax collection, including billing, due dates, interest on delinquent tax payments, reporting and tax sale procedures.
MUNICIPAL TAX DEDUCTION PROGRAMS
- STATE TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS
FAIR REBATE FOR HOMEOWNERS & TENANTS
(Formerly the Homestead Rebate & NJ Saver Programs)
New Jersey residents are eligible if they owned or rented property in New Jersey as of October 1st of the year prior to the application. The dwelling must be subject to property taxes and such property taxes for the previous year must have been paid. The dwelling must also be your permanent legal residence. Income and age determine the amount of rebate. NJ Division of Taxation - Fair Rebate
PROPERTY TAX RE-IMBURSEMENT
(Tax Freeze)
Homeowners may be eligible if they are at least 65 years old or are receiving Social Security disability benefits and paid property taxes on their principal residence in New Jersey. Applicants must be New Jersey residents for at least 10 years and they must have lived in their current home in New Jersey for the last 3 years. There are income limits that must be satisfied. NJ Division of Taxation - Senior Freeze
To ask questions or to check the status of a filed application: (800) 882-6597. To listen to information or to order an application: 1-800-323-4400. Online information: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm
TTY Equipment Users: 1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300
Taxation e-mail address for general tax questions: taxation@tax.state.nj.us
ADDITIONAL NUMBERS FOR INFORMATION
FAIR Homeowner Rebate:
To file application by phone: 1-877-658-2972
To file application online: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation
To ask questions: 1-888-238-1233
On-line information: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/fair/trhomeowner.htm
Taxation e-mail address for FAIR rebate questions: fairrebate@tax.state.nj.us
Services Provided:
Tax Collector and Tax Searches
Department Contacts:
Call 973-762-8120 for the Finance Office. The following extensions will help you direct your call to the staff who can best address your specific question:
x 2800 for questions about your tax bill, sewer bill or other tax collection issues
x 3000 if you are calling about a lien
x 2300 for the Tax Assessor’s Office
x 2500 for the Chief Financial Officer/Tax Collector
x 2600 for the Deputy Financial Officer
Or via email you may reach the Chief Financial Officer/Tax Collector as follows:
Peter N. Fresulone, Chief Financial Officer
cfo@twp.maplewood.nj.us
Location:
Maplewood Municipal Building
574 Valley Street
Maplewood, NJ 07040