Tax Collector

The mission of the Tax Collectors Office is to adhere to the responsibilities of billing, collection, reporting and enforcement of property taxes. 

Property tax bills are mailed out once a year with stubs for each quarter of the year.  Bills usually are sent out over the summer once the new tax rate has been officially approved. The new bills will cover the 3rd and 4th quarters of the current year and the 1st and 2nd quarter of the following year.

The 1st Quarter lasts from January through March with payment due by February 1. The 2nd Quarter lasts from April through June with payment due by May 1st. The 3rd Quarter lasts from July through September with payment due by August 1. The 4th Quarter lasts from October to December with payment due by November 1. There is a 10-day grace period for payments. If Borough Hall is closed on the 10th day of the grace period (due to a weekend or holiday), they will be due the next business day. 

Amounts owed can be found and paid online at the Borough website or by clicking Here: ONLINE TAX

Bills can also be paid at Borough Hall during business hours. Please note, we also have a Drop Box located by the back door of the Municipal Office, 39 Academy Street.

Staff Contact

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Interest Rate on Late Payments?

NJSA 54:4-67 states that if payment is not received by the end of business hours on the 10th day of the grace period, interest is to be charged. Interest is 8% per annum on the first $1,500.00 of delinquency; balances in excess of $1,500.00 have an interest rate of 18% per annum. The 18% rate remains in place until the taxes are brought current. Interest is charged from the 1st of the month that payment is due, or the date of last payment. In addition, if the total balance (tax and interest) exceeds $10,000.00 on December 31, a 6% penalty shall be added to the amount due to the Borough.

Under this statue, the collector must have physical possession of the payment; no postmarks accepted.

Can Interest Be Waived?

No. New Jersey statutes do not permit the waiver or cancellation of any interest charges.

I Don’t Have a Tax Bill — Why Am I Charged Interest?

NJSA 54:4-64 states that failure to receive a 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. If you have recently purchased the property, or lost your bill, you should call the Tax Collectors Office to obtain the amount due and request a copy of the bill.

When Will I Receive My Tax Bill?

Tax bills are mailed once a year. The Collector begins preparing the tax bills as soon as the extended tax duplicate is delivered.

If tax bills are issued after the statutory mailing date of June 14th, the payment date after which interest will be charged back to the statutory due dates of August 1st, November 1st, February 1st, and May 1st will be 25 days after mailing or the 10 day grace period which ever is later. Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve the owner from paying property taxes.

Where Do I Send Payments?

Checks should be made payable to:

Borough of Califon
P.O. Box 277
Califon, NJ  07830

What is the Last Date to Pay Taxes Without Penalty?

Taxes are due February 1st, May 1st, August 1st and November 1st. Califon offers a 10 day grace period. If taxes are not paid within the 10 day grace period interest reverts back to the due dates.

How Can I Contact the State of New Jersey About My Tax Questions?

You can visit www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation, and select Contact Us OR you can call the Division’s Appointment System hotline at (609) 943-4093 and leave a message with their name and phone number. A state representative will call you back within five (5) business days to schedule an appointment.

If taxpayers have questions about the following, they can contact us for assistance:

• Regarding the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement), call 1-800-882-6597;
• Regarding the Homestead Benefit, call 1-888-238-1233;
• For general tax assistance, call the Customer Service Center at (609) 292-6400;
• For information on payments, filing, forms, publications, license renewals, and answers to frequently asked questions, visit www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation.

Reference:

Tax-Collector PDF document

Last modified: January 30, 2024