Tax Collection
The Borough of Fanwood has entered into a shared services agreement with the Township of Scotch Plains for tax collection services, approved by the Borough Council on April 6, 2026.
Under this agreement, Scotch Plains will assume responsibility for Tax Collector duties for Fanwood for a five-year term, from May 1, 2026 through May 1, 2031. This transition follows the retirement of Fanwood’s Tax Collector and reflects a shared commitment to maintaining efficient, high-quality service for residents.
For in person assistance, please visit the Scotch Plains Municipal building at 430 Park Ave, Scotch Plains NJ 07076.
Office hours:
Monday thru Friday – 8:30am to 4pm
Summer hours apply from Memorial Day to Columbus Day
Monday thru Wednesday – 8:30am to 4pm
Thursday – 8:30am to 7pm
Friday – 8:30am to 12pm
The Borough of Fanwood sends out two tax bills a year – Estimated 3rd quarter bills in June and a final (reconciled) tax bill in September which covers the 4th quarter of the current year and the 1st and 2nd quarters of the subsequent year.
Added assessment bills for improvements are mailed in October and are due on November 1, February 1 and May 1 in addition to your regular billed taxes. For questions about added assessments please contact the Tax Assessor.
Property taxes are calculated based on the assessed value of the property which is then multiplied by the tax rate. The assessed value is determined by the Tax Assessor. If you have questions about your assessment, please refer to the Tax Assessor.
The 2025 tax rate is 3.120 per $100 of assessed value.
The 2026 tax rate will be available once the Borough, County of Union and School district have all passed their 2026 budgets. Only then can the Union County Board of Taxation strike the tax rate.
Property Tax Relief Programs
If you are over 65, the state has now combined the three property tax relief programs into one application form (PAS-1 – a blue book). You only have to file one application to be considered for the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and the new Stay NJ program. For further information, visit https://propertytaxrelief.nj.gov.
A $250 deduction is available for eligible seniors earning less than $10,000 outside of social security or other excludable income and also for qualified veterans. See the Tax Assessor to apply.
If you require assistance with property tax relief programs offered by the state, the NJ Division of Taxation has a regional information center located in Cranford. Click here for the address and opening hours.
Tax Payment Due Dates:
1st Quarter – February 1
2nd Quarter – May 1
3rd Quarter – August 1
4th Quarter – November 1
Each due date allows for a 10 (calendar) day grace period, making the 10th day of February, May, August, and November the last day to pay without interest. When the 10th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the last day of the grace period is extended to the following business day. Payments received after the grace period are charged interest back to the original due date.
You may view your account information and reprint your tax bill at any time on our website.
If you have a mortgage escrow account, the original bill will be sent to the bank and an “advice copy” will be mailed to you. If you pay off your mortgage, please use the advice copy to pay your taxes and contact the tax office to remove the bank code.
Failure to receive a bill does not exempt you from paying taxes, sewer charges or any interest that may be due (N.J.S.A. 54:4-64).
To update your mailing address, please contact the Tax Assessor. There can only be one mailing address per property. We do not have the ability to record separate mailing addresses for tax and sewer bills.
How to Pay
Online
Payments can be made via our online payment portal.
AutoPay is now available. If you choose to sign up, taxes and/or sewer charges will be debited automatically on the due date. Once enrolled, homeowners will receive an email detailing the date and amount due prior to being withdrawn. Please note that you must enable AutoPay separately for taxes and sewer.
Bank BillPay
BillPay initiated via your bank is now accepted electronically. This is a quick and easy option available to residents with no fee charged by the Borough. There are some important instructions to follow when setting up your payment.
Payee Name: Borough of Fanwood Tax
Address: 75 N Martine Avenue, Fanwood NJ 07023-1341
Your account number is listed on your estimated tax bill as shown below
Please make sure that you use the Tax Account ID and not the Tax Bill #
Your account number is listed on your final tax bill as shown below
If you do not know your account number, you may look it up on our online payment portal or you can call the office at (908) 322-8236 Ext. 126 or 122 for assistance. This number is completely different from your sewer utility account number. It is imperative to use the correct account number as payments are applied electronically.
If you wish to pay both taxes and sewer, you must set up two separate payees.
In person
Payments can be made at the tax office located inside the Scotch Plains Municipal building at 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Check or Cash only – Credit Card payments can only be made on the website.
24-Hour Drop Box
There is a drop-box to the left of the main entrance at Fanwood Borough Hall.
Do not put cash in the drop box under any circumstances. Payments left in the drop box are credited on the next business day.
By mail
Make your check payable to the Borough of Fanwood and mail to:
Borough of Fanwood Tax Collector
75 N Martine Avenue, Fanwood NJ 07023-1341
Please include the stub if you have it. If you do not have a stub, please write your Block and Lot on your check.
Postmarks are not accepted. Allow ample time when mailing payments – we must have physical possession of your check by the end of the grace period in order to avoid interest charges.
Do not post-date your check. Any post-dated checks will be returned to you and could result in interest charges.
Payments are applied to interest and fees first, then the oldest principal balance. Interest is calculated at 8% per annum on the first $1,500 of any delinquency and 18% per annum for any delinquency over $1,500. A Year End Penalty of 6% is assessed on any delinquencies in excess of $10,000 that exist as of December 31 each year.
There is a $20.00 service charge for checks returned for insufficient funds and certified funds may be required for future payments. Please note that separate checks are required if making both tax and sewer payments.
Tax Sale
The Tax Collector is required by state statute to hold a tax sale each year for delinquent tax and sewer charges. If you do not pay the full amount of taxes or sewer charges from the previous year by the date of the sale, the past due balance will be auctioned off to a third party, and a lien will be placed on your property. Once you have received a notice of tax sale payment can no longer be made using the online portal. A certified check, money order or cash is required to remove the property from tax sale.
If a lien has been placed on your property, please contact the office at (908) 322-8236 Ext 126 or 122 for further information and redemption instructions.