Gov. Murphy: NJ Property Tax 'Grace Period' In Coronavirus Crisis

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Tuesday press conference, gave residents and communities an opportunity to take more time to pay their property taxes as New Jersey once again had its deadliest day in the coronavirus crisis: 402. The number of cases, however, remain on a downward trend as New Jersey reported 2,887 new ones (you can watch it here, below).

New Jersey now has had 113,856 coronavirus cases and 6,442 deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy signed Executive Order No. 130, which allows municipalities to extend the grace period for property tax payments due on May 1st to June 1st. Such an extension would provide "much-needed relief to homeowners struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

Under existing law, towns may only allow for a grace period of up to 10 days after the property tax deadline without interest or penalty. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the law was amended to allow towns that have experienced a flood, hurricane, superstorm, tornado or other natural disaster to extend the grace period for up to a month in certain circumstances, Murphy said.

There is currently no mechanism in the law to allow municipalities to extend the grace period as a result of a public health-related emergency, he said.

Executive Order No. 130, however, allows towns to extend the grace period for property tax payments and enable homeowners to pay their taxes a month after they are due without incurring any interest costs or penalties, Murphy said.

“Allowing municipalities the option of extending the grace period for May property tax payments is the right thing to do as many New Jerseyans are impacted financially as a result of this crisis,” said Murphy. “Leaders of towns and cities across the state have been trying to find ways to lessen the blow on local residents, and with this action, they are empowered to provide relief to homeowners as we continue to do everything possible to fight this pandemic.”

The order will take effect immediately.

Murphy issued the executive order as he expressed encouragement that daily cases are on a downward trend. Currently, 6,746 hospitalized – down about 1,000 from a month ago – and 1,809 are in critical condition.

Murphy did say the number of deaths could be a bit skewed because there were more deaths over the weekend that had yet to be counted.

Murphy also said New Jersey had 488 new hospitalizations on Monday, another number on a downward trend. But he said it's still too high.

"I want to open this place up as much as the next guy but that's a lot of folks going into hospitals still," Murphy said.

Murphy provided a reopening plan on Monday. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis

Murphy also has clarified which businesses are permitted to open –and the ways in which certain businesses may operate – under the stay-at-home order he issued at the onset of the coronavirus outbreak in March. Read more: Gov. Murphy Clarifies What NJ Business Can Open Amid Coronavirus

Murphy also paid tribute to those who died:

Watch Murphy here:

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Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, April 27, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday, March 21, closing all non-essential business. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy, speaking during a Thursday, April 16 press conference, said schools will remain closed through May 15. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Shut Through May 15 In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
  

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