Final Tax Bills Coming Within 2 Weeks In East Brunswick. Here’s What To Expect:

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Residents will receive their final tax bills within the next two weeks, with the annual tax increase landing at approximately 3 percent overall, excluding fire district variations.

The information was relayed to the community by Mayor Brad Cohen during Monday’s council meeting.

The delay in issuing final tax bills stems from the township's need to wait for county notification of tax rates, which requires collecting information from all taxing entities including the county, fire districts, and school districts, Cohen said.

This process typically means third-quarter bills are estimates, and this year the township estimated slightly higher than the final numbers.

"The third quarter bill that goes out is almost always an estimate," Cohen said. "The township this year estimated a little high, which is why, at the end of the day, what you'll see in this new tax bill coming out, which reflects an overall 3% increase in taxes, exclusive of fire districts."

The 3 percent increase aligns closely with economic indicators, matching the 2024 Consumer Price Index of 2.9 percent and tracking with projected 2025 figures. However, individual bills may vary slightly depending on fire district locations, as each district maintains different tax rates.

The tax bill breaks down into three major components - schools account for 60-63 percent of the total, the township represents about 18 percent, and the county comprises 13-14 percent. Smaller portions include library funding and open space funds.

Looking at individual rate increases, the township's tax rate rose 0.9 percent, school taxes increased 3.3 percent, and county taxes went up 3.6 percent, Cohen explained. When combined with other factors, these create the overall 3 percent increase.

Residents who paid higher estimated amounts in the fourth quarter will see credits applied to their next three bills, reflecting the lower actual tax rate, Cohen said. The adjustment will continue through the first two payments of 2026.

The Mayor also noted that school budgets operate on a different calendar than municipal and county budgets, running from June to July, which often results in higher second-half tax bills compared to the first half of the year.

The township had initially estimated higher due to concerns about an $8 million school budget deficit. However, the school district managed to limit their increase to 3.3 percent through various cost-control measures, allowing for the reconciliation in upcoming bills.

Final tax bills will include an explanatory letter detailing the rate structure and adjustment process.

Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com