3 Percent Motel Tax Approved In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — People renting motel or hotel rooms in Toms River will pay a 3 percent tax on the cost of their rooms that will be paid to Toms River, under an ordinance approved Tuesday.

The ordinance that institutes the motel tax says motels and hotels collect the tax on behalf of the township and is in addition to other taxes already imposed on hotel and motel stays. The tax applies for each day of an occupancy, the ordinance says.

It becomes law 20 days after publication, and takes effect the first day of the month that falls 90 days after the information on the new ordinance is transmitted to the New Jersey state treasurer, which collects the taxes from the motels and returns the money to the township.

The ordinance can be read here.

New Jersey has had a provision in state laws for towns to charge motel taxes since at least 2004. Cities around the country charge hotel and motel occupancy taxes as well, particularly in popular tourist destinations. In Orlando, there is a 6 percent resort tax applied to hotel room stays on top of the sales tax.

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