The following are some helpful hints to assist you in navigating through the tax collection system:
Click here to see how much you owe.
When will I receive my tax bill?
Tax bills are mailed once a year, during July. Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the owner from paying property taxes.
When is my tax payment due?
Payment is due on a quarterly basis. There is a 10 day grace period from each of the due dates after which interest is charged. The due dates are as follows:
TAX QUARTER / PAYMENT DUE DATE
- 1st / February 1st
- 2nd / May 1st
- 3rd / August 1st
- 4th / November 1st
How should I make out my check?
- Payable to the Township of Ocean
- Place block and lot numbers 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.
How should I pay my taxes?
Tax 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, please bring your check and the entire bill and you will be given a receipt in the office.
If paying in person - after hours - there is a lock box next to the front door of Town Hall. Place the following in the lock box:
- Check with the payment stub or entire tax bill
- Self-addressed stamped envelope, if you need a receipt mailed back to you.
- Do NOT put cash in the lock box.
What is the interest rate?
The interest rate is 8% for balances of less than $1,500 and 18% for balances in excess of $1,500. This will be charged back to the original date.
My mortgage company pays my taxes, what are my responsibilities?
You should only receive the "advice copy" of your bill if your mortgage company pays your taxes. If you receive an original copy of the tax bill you should copy it for your records and mail the original to your mortgage company.
What do I need to do if I refinance or sell my home?
It is in the best interest of your mortgage holder, the new buyer and you 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.
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 st , taxpayers who receive certain tax deductions must file an annual post-tax year statement certifying their income for the prior year.
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 includes any sewer charges or any 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 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 Hall of Records. 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.