Category Archives: taxes

Preliminary budget projects $43 tax hike

The City Council on Monday night introduced a $51.83-million budget for 2014 that would increase the municipal portion of the average property tax bill by about $43.

A public hearing and final approval is scheduled at the City Council’s April 14 regular meeting. In the meantime, the budget will be sent to the state for technical review, Chief Financial Officer Frank Ruggiero told council members Monday night. He described it as a very aggressive budget that increases taxes about 1 percent over last year, staying under a state-imposed 2 percent cap. UPDATE: A copy of the budget can be found here. Continue reading Preliminary budget projects $43 tax hike

Shopping center wins five-year tax appeal

Another month, another multi-year tax appeal is settled.  A shopping center that straddles the border of Rahway and Woodbridge will get a refund of more than $188,000 on its tax bill over the last five years after the City Council approved a judgment by the state Tax Court.

Continue reading Shopping center wins five-year tax appeal

Elizabeth Avenue parcel wins tax judgment

A commercial warehouse property on Elizabeth Avenue will get a nearly 24-percent break on its 2013 property tax bill as a result of a state tax court judgment. Nearly 120 properties had successful appeals at the county level, resulting in some $182,000 in refunds for the 2013 tax year.

Continue reading Elizabeth Avenue parcel wins tax judgment

2013 tax appeals ding city for almost $182,000

About 120 properties won tax appeals at the Union County Board of Taxation this fall, collectively knocking almost $182,000 off their tax bills for the 2012 year.

Continue reading 2013 tax appeals ding city for almost $182,000

State Tax Court judgment slashes tax bill in half

Let’s call it “Tax appeal week” at Rahway Rising as we catch up on a few more tax appeals over the last several months, including those approved at the county tax board, decided at the state Tax Court or settled with the city.

STS Tire and Auto Center on St. Georges Ave. (Block 7, Lot 1) had its 2012 tax bill cut in half after a judgment by the state Tax Court. The City Council authorized a refund of $16,705.26 at its Nov. 12 meeting (AR-240), some 46 percent off the total property tax bill of about $36,310 paid by STS on its three St. Georges Avenue lots.

The main parcel on St. Georges Avenue, about a third of an acre and including the building, is assessed for $512,000 and had a tax bill of $29,906 in 2012. Two other land-only lots (Block 7, Lots 2 and 3), which were not appealed, are assessed at a combined $105,900, with taxes of $6,404, for a total 2012 tax bill of about $36,310.

Bridgewater-based STS also was among more than 120 tax appeals in the city for the 2013 tax year that were approved by the county tax board. The City Council approved the judgements at its October meeting and we’ll post details on those appeals and new assessments later this week.

Park Square tax appeal settlement

Park Square, the 159-unit rental complex downtown that was purchased last month, reached a tax appeal settlement with the city in October, which reduced its assessment by more than a third.

Continue reading Park Square tax appeal settlement

City Council approves PILOT for Metro Rahway

Lost amid the news of Mayor Rick Proctor’s resignation last week was the fact that the City Council approved a 15-year Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) and financial agreement for the Metro Rahway project.

Continue reading City Council approves PILOT for Metro Rahway

Metro Rahway: $72k v. $265k v. $430k

The 15-year Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) requested by Metro Rahway would be $265,000 annually, according to a revised ordinance (O-35-13) that the City Council is expected to approve tonight. The council will meet for a combined conference agenda/regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Continue reading Metro Rahway: $72k v. $265k v. $430k