REPEAL THE 5% STATE PORTION OF THE OCCUPANCY TAX.

THE JERSEY SHORE

SPECIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

November 6, 2007

The creation of a special taxing district in Ocean County, Cape May and Southern Monmouth along the barrier Islands rescinding the states 5% portion of the occupancy tax would provide some relief to the tourists and property owners impacted by the present 15% of taxation which is adversely impacting the state and tourism along the Jersey Shore. NJRA  Seasonal Rental Tax Report concluded that the tax has an Adverse Effect on Tourism ("Seasonal Rentals").

Hotels and lodging properties share the same customers, "Tourists along the Jersey Shore". If the tax is fair to apply to Hotels & Lodging properties, than Seasonal Rentals which are not actually rented for the season (90 days or more), should fall within the same application of the sales and occupancy tax law.

The NJRA is attempting to disguise the weekly rentals and in some cases daily rentals, of homes, condos, apartments as "SEASONAL RENTALS". This is no different than operating a hotel and is an attempt at avoiding paying the tax while competing unfairly with hotels and lodging properties. Realtors and Home Owners "SEASONAL RENTALS" are not paying their fair share of the tax. 

                                    WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STATES ENFORCEMENT EFFORT?

Rescind the states 5% portion of the occupancy tax

           The implementation and enforcement of the sales and occupancy tax for all "seasonal rentals" would offset any loss of revenue to the state through the collection of the additional tax from those properties who presently compete unfairly and pay no tax whatsoever. 

These properties are not rented seasonally (90 days or longer), and should no longer be allowed to cloak themselves with the term "SEASONAL" so as to avoid paying sales and occupancy taxes.

    These measures would have little economic impact on the state and a major positive impact for the local communities and business for which the relief is sought.

 

Contact your legislators and local representative to support  this plan