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Tax Collector
The Tax Collector’s office is responsible for the billing and collection of property taxes and sewer fees. In addition to that primary function, the office also maintains tax records and provides tax information to the public, and assists eligible residents in applying for property tax relief programs offered by the state.
Tax Payment Due Dates
Property taxes are due quarterly on the first of February, May, August, and November. Each due date allows for a 10 (calendar) day grace period, making the 10th day of February, May, August, and November the last day to pay without interest. When the 10th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the last day of the grace period is extended to the following business day.
Sewer fees are due annually on April 1, with the same ten calendar day grace period as each of the property tax due dates.
Interest & Penalties
Interest is charged, as per state statute, on delinquent taxes and sewer fees as follows: 8% on the first $1500, and 18% interest is charged on everything over $1500, retroactive to the due date. A fee of $20 will be charged for a returned check.
After-Hours Drop Boxes
There are two drop boxes marked for property tax/sewer fee payments located at the municipal building:
- Through the first set of doors in the Police Station
- In the rear parking lot, next to the United States Postal Service (USPS) mailbox
Please do not leave cash in the drop boxes; cash payments (in exact change) are only accepted during regular office hours. Payments left in the drop boxes after 4:30 PM will be processed the next business day and credited as such.
Online Payment Available
Payment may be made online at westfieldnj.gov/paymytaxes.
Post-Dated Checks
Please do not postdate your check: Postdated checks will be processed and deposited on the same day of receipt. We are not liable for any fees you may incur from your bank for a postdated check that is returned, as we are required to deposit all payments within 48 hours and therefore cannot hold postdated checks.
New Owners
New owners should contact the tax collector's office for a tax bill upon taking ownership of the property. Please be advised that NJSA 54:4-64 provides that "The validity of any tax or assessment, or the time at which it shall be payable, shall not be affected by the failure of a taxpayer to receive a tax bill, but every taxpayer is put on notice to ascertain from the proper official of the taxing district the amount which may be due for taxes or assessments against him or his property."
New Jersey Property Tax Rebate Programs
The State of New Jersey currently has three property tax relief programs offered throughout the state. Please also visit the Division of Taxation's Property Tax Relief Program web page.
Property Tax Deduction
- Qualified Senior Citizen, Surviving Spouse, and Disabled persons may be eligible for $250 off of property taxes. Please contact the Tax Assessor's office 908-789-4055) to file.
- Qualified Veteran and Veteran widows may be eligible for $250 off of property taxes. Please contact the Tax Assessor's office 908-789-4055) to file.
Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) (Senior Freeze)
- 2022 PTR-1 applications for first-time filers are available in our office or available for download. If you applied for and received the PTR last year, you should receive a PTR-2 application in the mail. For inquiries regarding the status of your 2021 PTR, please call 1-800-882-6597.
- 2021 PTR checks were mailed out beginning July 15, 2022.
- The deadline for 2022 PTR applications is October 31, 2023.
ANCHOR Program
- The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program replaces the Homestead Benefit for the 2019 tax year.
- This program provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who owned or rented their principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2019, and met the 2019 gross income limits. (Homeowners $250,000 and Renters/Tenants $150,000)
- ANCHOR benefits will be paid in the form of a direct deposit or check, not as credits to property tax bills.
- The filing deadline for the 2019 ANCHOR benefit was February 28, 2023.
- 2019 ANCHOR benefits are currently being issued and will continue to be distributed through the month of May.
- For more information, please visit the Division of Taxation website.
Change Westfield Property Mailing Address
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Tax Collector
Physical Address
425 E Broad Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
Phone: 908-789-4051Fax: 908-232-3870
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Henry Wang
Tax CollectorPhone: 908-789-4051
State Information on Residential Ratepayer Assistance: April 29, 2022
2022 Tax Sale
The 2022 Tax Sale will be held electronically. Information regarding the tax sale can be viewed free of charge at https://westfield.
Third Quarter Estimated Property Tax Bills
Our office recently sent out 3rd Quarter 2023 Estimated Tax Bills, which are due on or before August 1. (A 10-day grace period is permitted, but if the payment is not received in the Tax Office by August 10, interest on the full amount due accrues from August 1.)
The bills are estimates because the final tax rate has not been certified. The final rate is composed of Municipal, Library, School and County portions. The County Purpose and Open Space portions of the bill were unknown as of the printing date. NJ Statute allows municipalities to send out estimated bills even when the amounts are unknown. A reconciled 4th Quarter Bill will be sent out once all rates are certified.
The assessment on an average home in Westfield is approximately $812,000. The Estimated Tax Rate for 2023 is 2.205 per $100 of value. If the final, certified rate remains at 2.205, then the total amount of taxes due for this home in 2023 calculates to $17,904.60 as follows:
$812,000 x 2.205/$100 = $17,904.60
While it is tempting to multiply the Estimated 3rd Quarter bill by four to approximate the tax increase for the year, doing so is inaccurate. This is because the calculation of the Estimated 3rd Quarter bill subtracts what has been charged to date.
Continuing the above example, the 1st and 2nd Quarter tax bills for 2023 were $4,384.80 per quarter. The 3rd Quarter Estimated bill subtracts the 1st and 2nd quarters from $17,904.60, before dividing the remainder by two.
$17,904.60 – 4,384.80 – 4,384.80 = $9,135.00/2 = $4,567.50
Multiplying $4,567.50 by 4 yields $18,270.00, which overstates the actual amount due for 2023 (and the increase from 2022).
Hopefully, this helps explain your property tax calculation for 2023. You can always contact the Tax Collector’s office for more specific information about your property taxes, or the Tax Assessor’s office for more specific information concerning the value of your property.
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Town of WestfieldOffice of the Tax Collector