2026 Property Tax Bills UPDATE

Scotch Plains property tax bills mailed September 9 are now arriving in mailboxes. Residents should note several important deadlines and payment procedures to avoid late-payment penalties.

The third-quarter tax payment deadline has been extended to October 5, 2026. Payment must be physically received by this date; postmarks are not accepted. Any payments received after October 5 will be subject to interest charges that accrue back to the statutory August 1 due date.

Residents who prefer automatic payments have until today, September 17, to enroll in AutoPay for the third-quarter payment. AutoPay payments will be debited September 25. The fourth-quarter tax payment remains due November 1, 2026, with a standard 10-day grace period.

Scotch Plains offers multiple payment methods. Residents can pay online through the municipal payment portal by selecting "Pay Other Tax Quarters" and checking "Taxes due prior to 11/01/2026." Payments can also be made through bank BillPay, by mail, in person, or using the 24/7 drop box located at the Scotch Plains Police Department.

If paying online on October 5, residents must use the One-Time Payment option. Scheduled payments cannot be processed for the same day; the earliest available scheduled payment date for October 5 would be October 6, which would be considered late and subject to interest charges.

The 2026 tax bill is based on existing assessments. Beginning with 2027 tax bills, new property assessments will be used. The first two quarters of 2027 shown on the bill are preliminary and calculated as 50 percent of 2026 taxes. Any adjustments resulting from the new assessments will be reflected on the third- and fourth-quarter 2027 bills.

FAQ

Q: When is the third-quarter property tax payment deadline for Scotch Plains?

A: The third-quarter deadline has been extended to October 5, 2026. Payment must be physically received by this date. Postmarks are not accepted. Any payment received after October 5 will be subject to interest charges that accrue back to August 1, 2026.

Q: What is the deadline to enroll in AutoPay for the third-quarter payment?

A: The AutoPay enrollment deadline is September 17, 2026 (today). If enrolled, the payment will be automatically debited on September 25, 2026. AutoPay ensures timely payment and removes the risk of missing the October 5 deadline.

Q: What payment methods are available for Scotch Plains property taxes?

A: Scotch Plains residents can pay using the online municipal payment portal, bank BillPay, by mail, in person at the municipal offices, or using the 24/7 drop box located at the Scotch Plains Police Department.

Q: How do I pay online, and are there any restrictions?

A: Residents can access the online payment portal and select "Pay Other Tax Quarters," then check "Taxes due prior to 11/01/2026." If paying on October 5 using the online portal, you must use the One-Time Payment option. Scheduled payments cannot be set for the same day; if you schedule a payment for October 5, the earliest available date would be October 6, which would be considered late and subject to interest.

Q: What happens if I miss the October 5 deadline?

A: Any payment received after October 5, 2026, will be subject to interest charges. The interest accrues back to the statutory due date of August 1, 2026. Make sure your payment is physically received by October 5 to avoid penalty.

Q: When is the fourth-quarter property tax payment due?

A: The fourth-quarter payment is due November 1, 2026. There is a standard 10-day grace period for this payment.

Q: Will my 2027 tax bill be affected by the new property assessments?

A: Yes. The 2026 bill is based on existing assessments. Beginning with 2027, new property assessments will be used. The first two quarters of 2027 shown on your bill will be preliminary and calculated as 50 percent of your 2026 taxes. Any adjustments resulting from the new assessments will appear on the third- and fourth-quarter 2027 bills.