Departments / Tax Collector
Tax FAQs
What percentage of property taxes goes to pay for schools, county and local government?
The Township serves as the tax collector for the School District of the Chathams, Morris County Government and the local government. Approximately 64 cents of every dollar collected goes to the School District, 17 cents goes to the County and the local government keeps 18 cents. The remaining 1 cent goes to the Open Space Trust Account to preserve open spaces and promote recreation.
How are local taxes spent?
Of the approximately 18 cents kept for local government services 28% goes to Public Safety; 21% pays for Public Works; 11% pays for insurance including liability, workers compensation and health. The rest goes to the Joint Library of the Chathams and for all other municipal services.
What percentage of taxes is collected from residential property owners vs. commercial property owners?
The Township is predominantly residential. Therefore, residential property owners pay about 96% of the property taxes.
Yes. The State requires that residents pay their tax bills on time or there will be interest charged. See the Online Payments section of the Website for more details, tax due dates and online payment options.
Not all property owners in the Township receive sewer service. Some have septic systems that they are required to maintain at their own expense. It would not be fair to those property owners to pay for wastewater treatment.