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Tax Collection
Any questions concerning your assessment or change of address should be directed to the Tax Assessor. The Collector is responsible for the billing and collection of taxes only.
Tax payments are due quarterly. The dates are as follows:
- February 1
- May 1
- August 1
- November 1
There is typically a 10-day grace period unless the last day to pay falls on a weekend or holiday. The grace period is then extended to the next business day. The last day to pay without interest is by 4:00 PM on the last day of the grace period.
Payments received after the grace period will be considered delinquent and subject to interest (N.J.S.A. 54:4-66). For the November quarter, due to the accelerated tax sale, payments received after 4:00 PM on November 13 must be made by bank cashier check or money order.
Read the New Jersey Property Taxpayers' Bill of Rights. (PDF)
Bills are mailed only once a year. This bill should be given to the new owner or their paying agent upon sale or exchange of this property. A charge will be imposed for a duplicate tax bill.
If you recently paid off your mortgage and now pay property taxes directly to the Township, the advice copy of the tax bill should be used for payment.
Taxpayers are urged to read all the information contained on the front and the back of their tax bills. Please note that according to N.J.S.A. 54:4-64 failure to receive a tax 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.
The 1st half taxes (preliminary) of any year are based on ½ of the previous years’ taxes. When the bill for the 2nd half taxes (final) is rendered, the tax rate has been established and the total years’ tax fixed. The estimated (preliminary) amount is deducted and the remainder becomes your second half taxes. N.J.S.A. 54:4-64.
Property Tax Reimbursement Programs
Senior Freeze Applications (2022)
The State will begin mailing 2022 applications in mid-February 2023. The deadline to file the application is October 31, 2023. Any questions should be directed to the Senior Freeze Hotline at 1-(800) 882-6597.
The ANCHOR Program Replaces the Homestead Benefit Program
The following information was copied from the NJ Division of Taxation's website.
The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who own or rent property in New Jersey as their principal residence and meet certain income limits. The current filing season for the ANCHOR benefit is based on 2020 residency, income, and age.
Helpful Resources:
Middletown Township, NJ's municipality code is 1332.
New: We Will File for You; No Action Required by You
We will file ANCHOR applications on behalf of most qualified residents who received an ANCHOR benefit earlier this year (for tax year 2019). If you qualify, you may have received an "ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter" notifying you that you meet the requirements.
If the information in your confirmation letter remains the same as your prior filing, no action is required on your part. Benefit payments will be issued using the same method and banking information used in your prior filing and contained in your confirmation letter. The letter serves as your confirmation of filing, and we will not send you an additional confirmation number. However, you can check the status of your benefit payment beginning in mid-October.
If any information from your prior filing changed, you must file your application to update these changes before September 30, 2023. If you file online, be sure to choose “CONFIRM” at the end of the process to receive a confirmation number. If you file by phone, do not hang up until you receive your confirmation number. Keep this number for your records as proof that you filed an updated application. We do not issue confirmation numbers for paper applications.
You will not be able to make adjustments to your application after September 30, 2023. Payments will be issued using the information we have on file.
Some people who received an ANCHOR benefit last year may receive a green or purple filing packet in the mail instead of a confirmation letter. If you received one of these packets follow the instructions in the packet to apply for your benefit.
I did not receive an ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter or filing packet. Can I still apply for the benefit?
If you did not receive a confirmation letter or filing packet, but meet the qualifications for the benefit based on 2020 residency, income, and age, you may still apply for the program:
Homeowners. Most homeowners may file online or by phone with an identification number (ID) and PIN. However, if you bought your home in 2020, altered your deed, or had certain life changes such as a divorce or death of a spouse, you must file an application by mail.
Renters may file using the online option, and do not need an ID and PIN.
When will I receive my ANCHOR benefit?
Payments will be issued on a rolling basis. Most applicants can expect to receive their payment approximately 90 days after filing the application, unless we request additional information to process your claim.
Filing deadline
If you received the ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter notifying you that you qualify and you do nothing else, we will file the application for you and pay the benefit based on information in that letter. However, if you need to change any information, you have until September 30, 2023, to file an application on your own.
All other applicants have until Friday, December 29, 2023, to file applications.
State Property Tax Relief Programs
Information about State Property Tax Relief Programs, including eligibility criterion and potential deduction or credit amounts, is available on the Division of Taxation’s website.
Tax Lien Sale Date: December 20, 2023
In New Jersey, all municipalities are required to hold at least one Tax Sale per year. The 2023 Accelerated Tax Sale for the Township of Middletown will be an ELECTRONIC TAX SALE held on December 20, 2023. The links to the Tax Sale website and instructions on how to register for the Tax Sale will be available starting November 22, 2023.
For all questions regarding auction procedures including registration, training, bidding, or deposits please contact Real Auction Customer Service at 954-734-7401 or 877-361-7325.
The properties sold at this year’s Tax Sale are those with delinquent taxes for the tax year 2023 and prior years. State law regarding the New Jersey Tax Sale process can be found in New Jersey statute: N.J.S.A 54:5-19 etc. The New Jersey statutes can be found at the library or online at: www.njleg.state.nj.us.
A TAX LIEN DOES NOT GIVE YOU POSSESSION OF OR THE RIGHT TO TRESPASS ON THE PROPERTY. THAT IS DONE THROUGH THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.
You are urged to familiarize yourself with the Tax Sale process and do your due diligence on any property you bid on.
Sewer charges will be sold this year. If your account is delinquent then you are strongly urged to contact the Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority at 732-495-1010 to bring your account current.
All payments received after November 13, 2023, for property taxes MUST be made using guaranteed funds: attorney trust check, title company check, cashier’s check and/or money order in order to remove the property from the Tax Sale process. Any other form of payment WILL NOT be accepted. All other checks — online, personal, and business — WILL be returned. In addition, the credit card/ACH payment options WILL NOT be available after 4:00 PM, November 13, 2023.
Per this process, delinquencies will be subject to a 2% cost of sale (minimum $15 but no more than $100). In addition, delinquencies will be subject to a mailing fee of $25 for each mailing. Two mailings are scheduled for this process. THESE FEES ARE REQUIRED AS PART OF THE TAX SALE PROCESS AND CANNOT BE WAIVED.
NOTE: Failure of the property owner to receive a notice of Tax Sale properly mailed by the Tax Collector shall not constitute grounds to void the subsequent Tax Sale.
After November 13, 2023, the amount is calculated as follows:
Delinquent Taxes/Delinquent Sewer Charges + Interest + Cost of Sale + Mailing Fees = Total Amount Due
To receive the exact amount owed for taxes, please contact the Tax Office at 732-615-2086.
For questions regarding delinquent sewer charges owed, please contact the Sewer Authority at 732-495-1010.