Taxes

Thanks to all who attended the Irvington NAACP this past Thursday evening at Greater New Point Church.

There are some tips that we need to obey as presented by the New Jersey Citizen Action:
1. Keep up your tax payments as there is little aid you will receive if you are in arrears for two or more years.
2. Negotiate with your mortgage company and bank to be able to possibly refinance your property and thus bring down the amount of your mortgage payments.
3. Read all notices. Some notices state that your home goes into a tax lien by a certain date. This means your name and address might have been listed in the July 1 and July 8 editions of the Irvington Herald for the accelerated tax sale that occurred atIrvington Town Hall on July 12. Once a lien is sold, you owe on the unpaid balance plus a hefty 18% interest on that balance. It can result in you losing your home even if it is simply an unpaid sewer tax bill or a single quarter's tax bill that you have to pay.
Ask the Town Clerk at Irvington Town Hall for more information.

4. There is no SENIOR FREEZE fund if you did not apply and receive that benefit last year (2009). Someone has been notifying seniors in Irvington that they should apply for Senior Freeze. The notice that appeared in the August 2 edition of the STAR LEDGER clearly states that Gov. Christie has provided tax benefits for those already receiving them. There is no fund available to those who are applying for the first time this year.

If you are 62 or older the Town Hall does have applications for you to receive a senior tax benefit. Check in the Tax Office at Irvington Town Hall. If you are a veteran, you can also apply and applications are in the Tax Office.

Tax appeals may be filed by April 1 for next year at 51 Washington St., East Orange. Tax appeals are processed through theEssex County Court. The process includes proving that your home is overassessed.

Help is on the way---for help against foreclosure and tenants' problems call 973.643.8800 New Jersey Citizen Action, 23 W. Park Pl, Newark or for legal assistance 732.529.8448 New Jersey Legal Services also online at njlslaw.org or www.njls.org

The Community meetings have brought about a way to fight higher property taxes in Irvington. A petition is now being circulated. For more information, please call me at 973.371.5798
where you should leave a voicemail message. Please let us work together now to help fight high property taxes in our town.

Next Community Meeting is Monday evening, August 30 at 7 PM. All are welcome to participate in next steps to preserve our precious homes. There is greater strength in working together.

Kathleen Witcher

2nd quarter Property Tax balances are due by August 12.
3rd quarter Property tax bills are due by August 10.
KW