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Taxes & Utilities

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1. When will I receive a new tax bill?

Tax bills are mailed in July. Each bill contains 4 tear off stubs for the 3rd and 4th quarter of the current year, and the 1st and 2nd quarters of the next year. Original bills are mailed to those who pay their own taxes, and to banks and mortgage companies. Property owners who pay their taxes through their mortgage company receive an advice copy of the tax bill. This advice copy can be used to make tax payments if a mortgage has been paid off by the property owner. Please read both the front and the back of the bill.

2. How are taxes computed?

The total tax levy to be collected is the sum of the local budget and the budgets of the school board, county, fire districts, and Open Space programs. This figure is divided by the total assessments in the township to produce the tax rate. That tax rate is then applied to individual assessments.

The 1st half of your tax bill is estimated, and equal to 1/2 of the total prior year taxes. It is estimated because the rate cannot be computed until all budgets have been approved; budget approval occurs in June. The 2nd half tax bill is computed by applying the new tax rate to the current year assessment, then deducting the amount billed in the 1st half.

3. I need to change my address, or mortgage information. What should I do?

All requests to change a mailing address or mortgage provider must be done in writing. If you are escrowing for taxes with a mortgage company, we need an Initial Authorization form from the mortgage company. This form, when signed by you, authorizes us to send your tax bill to the mortgage company. If you have paid off your mortgage, and are now making payments directly to the township, we need a signed, written notice to stop sending the original bills to the mortgage company.

4. I don’t have a tax bill. Why am I charged interest?

NJSA 54:4-64 states that failure to receive a bill does not invalidate the tax due; it is the property owner’s responsibility to ascertain from the proper official (Tax Collector) the amount due. If you have recently purchased the property, or lost your bill, you should call the Tax Office to obtain the amount due, and request a copy of the bill.

5. What is a tax sale? Can I buy property at the tax sale?

Delinquent prior year taxes, utility charges, and other township charges will be sold to the highest bidder in the form of liens. The township holds an annual tax sale for those properties delinquent for the prior year. The state requires that any property listed for tax sale be publicly published and posted in the township. The costs of publication and sale are added to the amount to be sold. Upon the sale of these liens, the purchasers (Lien Holders) may pay current year delinquencies and add those balances to the lien. Lien holders must wait 2 years before they can begin to foreclose a property. The property owner may redeem the lien at any time prior to foreclosure, through the Office of the Tax Collector.

The township does not sell properties for unpaid taxes.

6. How do I pay off a lien?

You must request in writing to the Collector a statement of redemption. At no time should you approach the lien holder. The request must include the date that you anticipate making payment and a statement of your legal interest in the property. The Collector will provide you with a payoff figure that is computed to the date of redemption. You may be required to provide proof of identity. New Jersey Tax Sale Law only allows “interested parties” the right to redeem.

The only forms of payment are cash, certified check or money order. The Collector will notify the lien holder that payment has been received, and request the lien certificate from the lien holder. This certificate will be forwarded to you and you will then have the lien removed at the county.

7. What programs are available to reduce taxes?

• The State of New Jersey offers 2 deductions at the local level: 1 for seniors and disabled citizens and 1 for veterans. Each deduction reduces taxes by $250 per year. There is also an exemption for disabled veterans, where the disability was caused by their service in the armed forces. Instructions are on the reverse side of all applications.
• Veterans must be honorably discharged from the armed forces, own the property for which the deduction is being sought, and was in active service in time of war. Applications are available in the Tax Assessors Office, and online. Widow(er)s of eligible veterans may claim the deduction as well.
• 100% disabled veterans may request exemption from property tax payment. Applications are available in the Tax Assessors Office, and online. Restrictions apply.
• Senior citizens must be 65 years of age, own and reside in the property for which the deduction is being sought, and meet income requirements. Total income, less the greater of Social Security or government pension income, must not exceed $10,000. Applications are available in the Tax Assessors Office, and online. Widow(er)s of eligible seniors may claim the deduction as well, if certain criteria are met. An annual update is required; forms will be mailed in January by the Tax Collector. Failure to return the form in a timely manner will result in the deduction being removed.
• Disabled citizens must meet the criteria for Senior deductions, except for age. They must be receiving Social Security disability payments and provide a note from the doctor saying they are 100% disabled.

8. How should I make out my check?

• Payable to the Township of Wall
• Place account number on the lower left corner of the check, better known as the "memo section"
• Date the check with the same date you are writing the check. No post-dated checks will be accepted
• Make sure amounts match in both places
• Postmark is not accepted

9. How should I pay my tax / utility bill?

• Tax and utility payments may be paid by mail or in person. When paying by mail, please send a check with the appropriate payment stub. The cancelled check will be the receipt. If paying in person and would like a receipt, please bring your check and the entire bill.
• By credit / debit card or online check (There is a fee for this service - credit cards are not accepted in Town Hall)
• By drop box: Payments can be placed anytime in the drop box outside Town Hall. Payments must be in a sealed envelope - no cash! Payments will be posted the next business day

10. What happens if I do not pay the utility bill?

A lien will be sold against the property if there are any unpaid utility bills owed from the previous year, this may also include other municipal charges.

Who buys these liens? Usually people who are looking to invest money. The interest rate starts at 18%. However, if there is more than one person interested in the same parcel, they will start bidding down the interest rate. Once the bidders bid down to 0%, it will go into a premium starting at multiples of $100.

What happens once a lien has been sold on a property? The person who purchased the lien will receive a legal document referred to as a "tax certificate" which must be recorded with the Monmouth County Clerk. The certificate must be held for 2 years from the date of sale. After 2 years they may start to foreclose on the property. The homeowner has the right to redeem the tax sale certificate any time prior to the final judgment being filed.

11. What is the tax bill interest rate?

The interest rate is 8% for balances of $1,500 or less and 18% for balances in excess of $1,500. This will be charged back to the original due date. Year End Penalty of 6% on properties that owe more than $10,000, including principal, interest and water / sewer combined.

12. My mortgage company pays my taxes, what are my responsibilities?

An "Advice Copy" of your bill will be mailed, if your mortgage company pays your taxes. If an original copy of the tax bill received, forward a copy to your mortgage company.

13. What do I need to do if I refinance or sell my home?

It is in the best interest to you, your mortgage holder and the new buyer that you have your current tax bill on hand at closing. Whether this is a refinance or sale, the new owner or your mortgage company will need to know the next quarterly amount of tax due.

14. I receive a senior citizen deduction on my property, is there anything I need to do to maintain this deduction?

On or before March 1, taxpayers who receive certain tax deductions must file an annual post tax year statement certifying their income for the prior year. See State of New Jersey Property Tax Relief Information.

15. What happens if I do not pay the property taxes?

A lien will be sold against the property if there are any unpaid taxes owed from the previous year, this may also include any water and/or sewer charges or any other municipal charges.

16. Who buys these liens? (If I do not pay the property taxes.)

Usually people who are looking to invest money. The interest rate starts at 18%. However, if there is more than one person interested in the same parcel, they will start bidding down the interest rate. Once the bidders bid down to 0%, it will go into a premium starting at multiples of $100.

17. What happens once a lien has been sold on the property?

The person who purchased the lien will receive a legal document referred to as a "tax certificate" which must be recorded with the Monmouth County Clerk. The certificate must be held for 2 years from the date of sale. After 2 years they may start to foreclose on the property. The homeowner has the right to redeem the tax sale certificate any time prior to the final judgment being filed.