Shopping in Town Could Lower Your Property Tax Bill

You may be able to shop until your tax bill drops.

The township is exploring the possibility of a new program that would give homeowners property tax credits for shopping at participating township stores. Renters and workers who are employed in the township would receive a rebate check.

Under the proposal, all property addresses in the township will be mailed a “Shop Hillsborough Propert Tax Reward Card” card. Shoppers will then earn tax credits or money toward a rebate every time they present the card at a participating merchant at the time of purchase.

A similar program has already been started in the Monmouth County community of Marlboro, which claims it was the first municipality in the United States to develop the program.

Other towns considering the implementation of the program include Highland Park, Newton, Caldwell, Bayonne, Pequannock, Manalapan, Old Bridge, Vorhees, and Sparta. Towns in California, Florida, and Massachusetts are also exploring the program.

For example, according to Fincredit, the Marlboro firm running the program in Marlboro, the cost of a dinner for four at a restaurant participating in the program with a 20 percent property tax reward is $200. When paying for the check, by either cash or credit card, the customer will also present the property tax reward card, which is then swiped and a $40 tax credit or rebate -- less processing and management fees -- is generated.

That money will be credited to the property tax bill for homeowners or a rebate for renters.

An explanation of Marlboro’s program can be found on the township's website.  

The program will be presented to township merchants at two information sessions later this month, 6-7 p.m. Monday, April 22 and 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, April 23. All business owners are invited to attend. To register, contact township Business Advocate Gene Strupinsky at gstrupinsky@hillsborough-nj.org.

After the information sessions, the Township Committee will decide whether to go ahead with the program.

“We are always looking at ways to save our taxpayers money and this seems like a win, not only for our taxpayers, but for the business community, renters and those who shop and dine within Hillsborough,” Mayor Frank DelCore said.