Tax Collector


CONTACT INFORMATION:
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP TAX COLLECTOR
260 EAST BAY AVENUE
MANAHAWKIN, NJ  08050
609-597-1000  EXT. 8551 OR 8552
609-242-8221  FAX 
taxes@staffordnj.gov  EMAIL
 


The State of New Jersey began mailing out 2019 ANCHOR applications around September 19, 2022. You can file online or by telephone.  The ANCHOR program replaces the Homestead Benefit Credit program.  

For more information please go to https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/anchor/index.shtml or call the state at 1-888-238-1233 to ask questions.  The deadline to file is has been extended to FEBRUARY 28, 2023.
 
THE 2022 FINAL/2023 PRELIMINARY TAX BILLS WERE MAILED AUGUST 23, 2022.  PAYMENTS ARE NEXT DUE NOVEMBER 1, 2022, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 AND MAY 1, 2023.  PAYMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICE BY THE 10TH OF THE DUE DATE TO AVOID INTEREST.

2022 third quarter estimated tax bills were mailed on June 21, 2022.  

*Please note that our office does not send out statements of taxes paid for the prior year.  You must use your receipts, cancelled checks or mortgage statement along with your tax bill for income tax purposes.  If you purchased or sold your property during the year, you would also have to utilize your closing papers for any pro-rated amounts.*

The State of New Jersey has begun mailing the applications for the 2022 Property Tax Relief Program, also known as the Senior Freeze.  The deadline to submit applications to the State of New Jersey OCTOBER 31, 2023.  Please contact the State of New Jersey with any questions you may have at the following:

INFORMATION                          1-800-882-6597
ONLINE INFORMATION            nj.gov.taxation
EMAIL                                         nj.taxation@treas.nj.gov
DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, DEAF-BLIND,
SPEECH DISABILITY: VISIT njrelay.com or call 711

2018 Homestead Benefit payments were paid to eligible taxpayers on the 2022 2nd quarter taxes due May 1, 2022.

2017 Homestead Benefit payments were paid to eligible taxpayers on the 2021 2nd quarter taxes due May 1, 2021.

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MUNICIPAL OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022 - CHRISTMAS (OBSERVED)
MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2023 - NEW YEARS DAY (OBSERVED)
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The 2022 tax rate is $2.354 per hundred.
The 2021 tax rate was $2.322 per hundred. 
The 2020 tax rate was $2.325 per hundred.  
The 2019 tax rate was $2.292 per hundred.
The 2018 tax rate was $2.278 per hundred.
The 2017 tax rate was $2.353 per hundred.
The 2016 tax rate was $2.329 per hundred.
The 2015 tax rate was $2.247 per hundred. 

 PAYMENTS
Payments can be accepted in person or by mail only at this time. Checks should be made payable to Township of Stafford-Taxes. If you are paying through your bank online, include your Block/Lot/Qual number as your account number and allow enough time for your bank to send the check to our office.  
 
To avoid interest, payments must be received in our office by the 10th of the month due.  If the 10th falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day is the end of the grace period.

 Interest is calculated at 8% per annum on the first $1,500.00 of delinquency and 18% per annum for any delinquency over $1,500.00.  Any delinquency in excess of $10,000.00 as of December 31st each year is subject to a 6% year end penalty.
 
 There are also drop boxes located near the parking lot in the back of the building and inside the lobby.  Payments deposited in the boxes by 3:00 p.m. are receipted on that day.  Payments deposited after 3:00 p.m. are receipted on the next business day.
   

TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS
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TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE STAFF
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Margaret B. Favorito, CTC - Tax Collector

Nichole M. Erdin, CTC - Deputy Tax Collector

Kim Teschlog - Principal Tax Clerk

Sue Philhower, CTC - Tax Specialist

Gina M. Schreier, CTC - Clerk/Bookkeeper

Samantha Christensen, CTC - Clerk/Bookkeeper

Overview
Stafford Township is a calendar year municipality.  The Tax Collector is responsible for the billing, collection, reporting and enforcement of taxes. Tax bills are normally mailed in June or July each year. They have the third and fourth quarters of the current year and the first and second quarters of the next year. The tax bill contains the portion of taxes that we collect for the schools and county as well as the municipal taxes.

Property taxes are due on 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 governing body has granted a 10 day grace period on each quarter. Therefore, payments must be received in our office on or before the 10th. When the 10th falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the grace period is extended to the next business day.

The Tax Collector is a statutory officer of the State of New Jersey and is obligated to comply with all State Statutes regarding property tax collection including billing, due dates, interest on delinquent tax payments and tax sale procedures.

Assessments

The Tax Collector is responsible for the billing and collection of taxes. The Tax Assessor is responsible for establishing the taxable value of your property. If you have any questions regarding the assessed value of your property please contact the Tax Assessor’s Office, 609-597-1000 ext. 8546 or by email.

Appeals

 

Property owners may file an appeal if they want to dispute the assessed value of their property. Appeals must be filed by April 1st of the current year with the County Board of Taxation. Appeals for added or omitted assessments must be filed by December 1st of the current year. Appeal forms and information is available from The Ocean County Board of Taxation, Ocean County Courthouse, located at the corner of Washington Street and Hooper Avenue in Toms River. You may call the office of the Board of Taxation at 732-929-2008.

Interest Charged on Unpaid Taxes


Any taxes remaining unpaid after the 10th 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%. Any account with a current 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 Collector at 609-597-1000 ext. 8551 to determine the correct amount of interest to submit with any delinquent tax payment prior to sending the payment.
 

Change of Mailing Address

Please note: Change of address must be in writing signed by the property owner. Changing your mailing address for taxes will also change your mailing address for water and sewer bills.

Mail the change of address form (PDF) to 260 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 or fax to us at 609-242-8221.

SUBMIT ELECTRONIC CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM