Asbury Park Area Residents Join Fight Against New NJ Taxes

A group of concerned vacation home owners at the Jersey Shore say they're joining together to fight against New Jersey taxes that, they say, destroy the area's growth.

The group has formed the “NJ Shore Rentals Coalition,” a nonprofit corporation whose mission is “to enhance the growth of owner rental property so as to contribute to the prosperity of the New Jersey Shore community and business.”

Back in July, the group noted, New Jersey passed several new taxes as part of the budget approval process. The most problematic of those, the group says, is the application of both Sales & Occupancy taxes on vacation rentals.

Read more: 5 New Tax Hikes, Fees In NJ Start Now

As of Oct. 1, vacation rentals became subject to a total of 11.625 percent in taxes, the group says. Some municipalities add their own occupancy taxes that can bring the total tax rate on rentals to 13.625 percent, the group says.

"These increased rental costs will undoubtedly cut into every traveler’s vacation budget. At best, vacationers will spend less money at the Jersey Shore," the group said. "At worst, they may choose to vacation elsewhere and spend no money at the Jersey Shore."

This, the group says, "would be devastating to the local economy as vacationers stop spending money at local businesses that depend on seasonal income from visitors to the Shore."

"We have been working together behind the scenes for several weeks putting this organization together, and now we are taking our fight to Trenton," the group says.

The group noted that Assembly Bill A-4520 and Senate Bill S-3133 have been introduced in the legislature, calling for a “shore rental” exception to the current tax law. "Both bills have been moved to committee, but it will take time and effort to keep them moving forward," the group says.

You can find out more about the group by clicking here.

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