Billing & Tax Payment

Online Payments

The City of Elizabeth Property Tax Online Service is now available. 
This web based service allows residents of the City to inquire about their property taxes and to pay their bills safely online: CLICK HERE to visit the site.

Your tax bill is mailed out semi-annually. Usually by mid-January for the February and May tax quarters; and mid-July for the August and November tax quarters. 

Your property tax bill includes taxes collected for:

  • City of Elizabeth
  • County of Union
  • County of Union Open Space Fund
  • Elizabeth Board of Education
  • Municipal Library

Collection of Payments

After collection, payments are made to the County of Union and Elizabeth Board of Education for their portion of taxes. The balance of the collections is used to fund local municipal expenses. New Jersey Law requires that Municipal Government to serve as a billing and collection agency for all separate entities.

If You Did Not Receive a Tax Bill

Taxpayers are urged to read all of the information contained on the front and back of their tax bills. Please note that according to New Jersey Statutes, failure to receive a tax bill does not exempt a property owner from payment of taxes. If you do not receive your bill, please contact the Tax Office at 908-820-4115.

If you receive a tax bill that says “Not a Bill - For Advice Only”, and you pay your own taxes, please use the “advice only” bill to make payment and notify our office to remove the bank code from your account.

Due Dates

Although your property tax bills are mailed out semi-annually, taxes are due on a quarterly basis on the following dates:

  • February 1
  • May 1
  • August 1
  • November 1

Grace Period

A ten-day grace period to the 10th of the month is allowed by resolution of the City Council after which interest is charged from the first day of the month in which payments where due. For example, the First Quarter taxes are due on February 1 each year. If payments are received after February 10, interest is retroactive to the original due date of February 1 as per NJ.S.A. 54:4-66. If the 10th falls on the weekend or a Holiday in which City Hall is closed, then the grace period moves to the next business day.

How to Pay

Payments can be made in person or by mail through check, cash or money order. Please make checks and money orders payable to City of Elizabeth. 

Online Payments

The City of Elizabeth Property Tax Online Service is now available. 
This web based service allows residents of the City to inquire about their property taxes and to pay their bills safely online: CLICK HERE to visit the site.

Mailing Payments

If you are mailing your payments, please note that payments are processed based on the date received. Post mark dates are not acceptable per New Jersey Statutes. Please allow adequate mailing time to ensure that payment arrives in the office within the applicable payment time frame. If you are mailing a check or money order, please be certain that payment amount is correct for the applicable tax quarter. If only the tax stub is mailed, then your check will be your receipt, however, if you would like a receipt mailed back, then please send the entire tax bill and it will be receipted and mailed back to you.

Late Payments

Delinquent payments will be applied to interest first and then to the oldest principal. The unpaid principal balance will be considered delinquent and will accrue interest. Interest accrues at 8% on the first $1,500 of total delinquency; thereafter, interest accrues at 18%. Once an account reaches an interest rate of 18% it will remain at this level until the entire account is brought current. In addition, delinquent current fiscal year balances on June 30th are subject to a year-end penalty of 6%.

Failure to Receive Tax Bill

Please Note: Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve you of the obligation to make payments by the quarterly due dates. Interest and/or penalties will apply from the original due date if you are late in making any payment.

Hours

The Tax Collector’s Office is open the following hours:
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.