You all have received your 3^rd Quarter Tax Bill from the Township Finance Office.  While this bill is labeled “Estimated”, it is indeed a real bill with payment due to the Township by August 21^st with no penalty.  Please be advised of the following regarding this “Estimated” Tax Bill. 

• Those who have their property taxes paid through your respective mortgage companies do not need to act on this bill. All mortgage companies have already been notified. 
  
  
• The Township has not issued estimated tax bills for at least 5 years.
  
  
• The reason for the estimated tax bill this year is that the State of New Jersey strongly recommended all municipalities issue estimated bills due to the uncertainty from COVID-19. Most, if not all, municipalities that we have communicated with are issuing estimated bills.
  
  
• Bills were estimated 5% over the previous quarters. This is because as a municipality, we are obligated to collect and subsequently distribute all taxes for the schools, Burlington County, both fire districts, and open space in full.  Until the State settles their budget and we know for sure the tax rates and how that will affect the property tax bills, we need to account for the maximum possible increase.
  
  
• NOTE: Because this bill is estimated “high”, we anticipate the November (4^th Quarter) bill to be adjusted as well. That is, you can reasonably anticipate a lower tax bill in November.  We will not know for sure the amount until the State adopts their budget (likely October).
  
  
• As a reminder, the municipal portion of this tax bill (and all tax bills) is less than 16%. The balance of the tax payment goes to the school district, Burlington County, Fire Districts, and open space. 
  
  
• The Township portion of your tax bill has not increased this year, and has increased a total of approximately $5 in the past 7 years.
  
  
• The State Budget currently does not include either the Senior Tax Freeze or the Homestead Rebate credits for 2020. Please be advised that the Township has no jurisdiction over these matters and has no authority to issue these credits locally.  We will not know if the State will forego these credit programs in 2020 until the State ultimately adopts their budget.

We understand the difficult burden property taxes have on all residents and businesses. Estimated bills such as the one you just received lends to further confusion and frustration. Please call Town Hall at 609-298-2800 for the Finance Office at extension 5479 or the Township Administrator at extension 2102 with any questions.

Thank You