Longer Tax Grace Periods In Chester, Mendham

CHESTER, NJ — Residents who live in Chester Township and Mendham Borough are eligible this quarter for extended grace periods beyond the customary 10-day period typically offered, to pay their property taxes.

In Chester Township, residents have until Friday, Aug. 20 to make their payments, without accrued interest. After Aug. 20, taxes will retroactively accrue interest from the original Aug. 1 due date, at 8 percent for the first $1,500 and 18 percent on the remainder. Residents with questions should call the township’s Chief Financial Officer and Tax Collector Derek Macchia at 908-879-5100, ext. 817.

Mendham Borough taxpayers are eligible for a grace period as well through Monday, Aug. 23. On the borough’s website, residents can do property searches for tax information and pay taxes online here. Borough residents with questions should contact the borough’s Tax Collector Thomas M. Hespe at borotax@mendhamnj.org; or Deputy Tax Collector Karen Orgera at korgera@mendhamnj.org or 973-543-7152 ext. 10.

In Chester Borough, there’s just a 10-day grace period for taxes due for the third quarter, until Tuesday, Aug. 10, with 8 percent for the first $1,500 and then 18 percent on the remainder after that date, with a 6 percent penalty on any taxes unpaid over $10,000 by the end of the fiscal year. For more information about tax payments in Chester Borough, click here.

There is only a 10-day grace period for taxes in Mendham Township, with that period also ending on Aug. 10. Interest is also 8 percent for the first $1,500 and then 18 percent on the remainder, with a 6 percent penalty on any taxes unpaid over $10,000, if remaining at the end of the year. To pay taxes online in Mendham Township, click here.

Both Mendham Borough and Township had information available on their websites about the Senior Freeze Programs.

According to Mendham Township’s website, senior citizens may file with the Senior Freeze program for reimbursement on property taxes as long as their incomes don’t exceed - either solely or combined - $91,505 in 2019 and $92,969 in 2020.

There was information for seniors in Mendham Borough to also file for the Senior Freeze Program by Nov. 1, with the forms certified by the borough’s tax collector. For all documents related to Mendham Borough's program, click here.

Seniors with questions may call the state’s info line at 800-882-6597 or the automated line at 800-323-4400.

Information is also available at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml or by email at nj.taxation@treas.nj.gov.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.