For the first time in 11 years, Mantua Township will undergo a property tax assessment by the county that is concerning residents.
“Our town was slated to be assessed by the county,” said Mayor Pete Scirrotto. “It happens when your revalue goes below 80 percent. Property values have gone up in the past few years, so if your property was worth $350,000 before, it’s gonna be $500,000 now.”
Mantua residents got the news by mail.
“People get the wrong information that says their property taxes are gonna go up, but that isn’t the case,” Scirrotto explained. “It (the property tax) won’t increase because the tax rate will decrease. It’s a complicated process, as some people won’t let the evaluators in because they feel they’re infringing on their privacy.”
According to Scirrotto, the tax rate will not be officially determined until July. To better help residents understand the assessment and ease their concerns, the township has posted a fact sheet on its website and social media pages.
“When the taxable value of the township increases, the tax rate decreases, providing the tax levy remains the same,” reads the fact sheet. “We, therefore, expect the current tax rate to be lower in 2023. The 2022 property assessment will be used to calculate your 2023 property tax bill, and the tax rate will not be determined until June or July 2023.
“In the meantime, do not multiply the 2022 tax rate by the 2023 assessment to determine your property taxes for next year,” the document added. “Please keep in mind that reassessments are revenue neutral, as they do not generate any additional revenue to the existing township budget.”
About 53 percent of property taxes collected goes to the school district, according to the fact sheet, 23 percent goes to the county, 3 percent to the fire district and 21 percent to the township.
Mantua residents can call the Gloucester County Assessor’s Office at (856) 307-6445 if they have more questions about the reassessment.
“It’s something that the county has us do,” said Scirrotto of the process. “The county does it and you’re mandated to do it by a certain point.”
