5 Year Tax Abatement-Exemption Programs

5 Year Tax Abatement-Exemption Program -Commercial and Industrial Development 

The purpose of the Five Year Exemption and Abatement Law is to encourage new commercial and industrial development, thereby, increasing the commercial ratable base, whereby, alleviating some of the tax burden from the residential property owners. Additionally, new commercial and industrial development will create job opportunities within the municipality.

The Governing Body of the Township of Winslow determined that it was in the best interest of the municipality to enter into agreements with applicants for tax abatement on commercial and industrial construction projects thus providing for an abatement from real property taxation on projects for a period of up to five years, and further providing for payments in lieu of taxes to be made to the municipality.

The Governing Body of the Township of Winslow adopted this Ordinance implementing the Tax Abatement-Exemption Program on October 28, 1997, in an effort to attract quality industrial and commercial ratables into the community.

Since the adoption of this program, the municipality has entered into over fifty Tax Abatement Agreements.

Qualifications:

  • Project (new construction) must be a minimum of 5,000 square feet or larger

  • Enlargement of an existing commercial or industrial property increasing the volume in excess of 30%
  • Improvement, modernization, rehabilitation or renovation of a commercial or industrial structure which increases the overall value by a minimum of $75,000, as determined by the Assessor.

  • A preliminary application and applicable fees must be filed with the Assessor and Governing Body prior to receiving a construction permit

  • Property Owners/Developers must meet specific requirements outlined within the Code of the Township of Winslow Chapter 66

  • Application fee of $500.00 along with an additional $1,000 non-refundable escrow fee due at the time of filing

  • Tax Abatement Agreements are entered into on a project basis

Abatement Application Packets for Commercial and Industrial projects are available by contacting the Assessor's Office.  The packet contains the procedures and necessary forms for filing.

5 Year Tax Abatement-Exemption Program - Residential Improvements 

The Governing Body of the Township of Winslow determined that it was in the best interest of residents of the Township to allow and/or provide for tax abatements for certain residential home improvement projects.  On November 22, 2016 the Governing Body amended Chapter 66 entitled "Tax Abatement" to include Article III - Home Improvement Tax Abatements.

The home improvement application will be enclosed with the permit jacket from the Construction Department. 

Qualifications: 

  • Residential single family or multi-dwelling properties more than fifteen (15) years of age or older

  • Property owners will have 30 days from the date of completion of the project to file the application with the Assessor's Office

  • Up to $25,000 of the Tax Assessor's full and true value of the improvement will be abated (exempt) from property taxes for 5 years

  • There is no application fee required for this program

Full prerequisites and qualifications can be found in the Code of the Township Chapter 66. Questions regarding this program should be directed to the Assessor's Office.