TAX COLLECTOR TO PROVIDE A BRIEFING ON PRELIMINARY 3RD QUARTER PROPERTY TAX BILLS

Like all homeowners, I received the 3rd quarter estimated tax bill this past week and noticed the adjusted increase from the first two quarters of the calendar year. However, I have come to realize that we cannot make the mistake and multiply this number times four quarters and assume the result as the 2013 annual property tax debt. Perhaps, even go further and take that result to compare it to 2012’s tax bill to aggregate the increase in property taxes.

Confused? Well, I was, and so are a number of residents that have contacted me as well as postings I have noticed on social media. This is not uncommon during this time of the year and thus I requested, through Council President Susan McCartney, to have West Orange Tax Collector Joanne Gagliardo make a presentation at today’s Town Council meeting to help clarify any confusion. The presentation will take place at 6:30 PM during our Tuesday, July 16th, Conference Agenda. If you miss the presentation, you may access the video footage online by Friday on the Town’s website here: http://westorange.org/index.aspx?NID=875

Ms. Gagliardo will address the calendar year adjustment process including:

1. How our first and second quarter tax bills are based on the previous calendar year taxes

2. What kind of adjustment are made during the third quarter and their distribution into the fourth quarter

3. Difference between a preliminary tax bill and a final bill

4. The role of State municipal aid and when does it trickle down and adjusted to your tax bill

5. How and when to compute your aggregate annual property tax bill

6. If your taxes have been appealed, how are those adjustments reflected and when in your tax bill

I hope that the presentation is helpful and look forward to seeing you at our Council meeting. For any comments, or feedback, I can be reached at Vcirilo@westorange.org. You can also visit my website www.victorcirilo.com. My twitter handle is @CouncilmnCirilo