APP: Federal tax lien on Middletown official's home: Thoughts

The Asbury Park Press, on December 1st ran an article"Middletown official's home up for sheriff's sale", where we found out that Middletown Committeewoman Stephanie Murray's home was scheduled to be auctioned off in an upcoming sheriff's sale. On Tuesday, December 13th, The APP ran a follow-up article "Federal tax lien on Middletown official's home" where we found out that the reason for the sheriff's sale was for unpaid income taxes.

Stephanie Murray

The APP and it's reporter, Russ Zimmer, had gotten some pretty nasty comments in response to the two articles.  There are some that think the articles single out the Murray's just because Stephanie Murray is a public servant; they feel that it's a private matter and shouldn't be discussed in public. Many others think that someone that falls on hard financial times shouldn't be ridiculed.

If this was a case of actual hard times for the Murray family I'd agree. If Kenneth Murray had lost his job at the Manhattan law firm which he happens to be a partner in or their financial problems had been the result of some unforeseen tragedy or event then I would whole-heartedly agree; this would be a private matter and off limits. But it's not.

The IRS doesn't just place liens on peoples properties for nothing. Here the agency has placed a tax lien on the Murray's property of $78,000 for unpaid Federal income taxes!

A Federal tax lien is put in place when an individual does not report income. Assuming that the Murray's tax bracket falls at 33% that would mean that they did not report ~ $236,000 of income.

That's a lot of money and this shouldn't be taken lightly.

As I stated before, Stephanie Murray is up for re-election next year. If she can't handle her own finances, how on earth can we trust her with ours?

Middletown Notice: Accelerated Tax Sale Dec. 30th

From Middletown Township public information:

ACCELERATED TAX SALE OF REAL ESTATE FOR UNPAID TAXES AND SEWER CHARGES TOWNSHIP OF MIDDLETOWN IN THE COUNTY OF MONMOUTH

I, Judith Vassallo, Collector of taxes in and for the Township of Middletown, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, hereby give notice that according to the statutes requiring me to make public the unpaid taxes and sewer charges. I will on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at 9:00 AM in the Courtroom of the Municipal Building, Middletown, New Jersey, sell the lands and real estate hereinafter described to make the amounts chargeable against such lands, together with interest on said amounts and the cost of sale at Public Vendue.

The sale shall be made in fee to such persons as will purchase the same, subject to redemption at the lowest rate of interest, but in no case in excess of 18 percent per annum; providing any person at the sale shall offer to purchase the property subject to redemption offer a premium over and above the amount due the municipality, and in such case the property will be struck off and sold to the bidder who offers to pay the said taxes, assessments or charges, plus the highest amount of premium. The sale is made under the provisions of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey Title 54. The said lands to be sold and name of the persons against whom said taxes and sewers were assessed and the amount hereinafter set forth include taxes and sewer charges for the year hereinafter set forth against each property, with interest calculated to the date of sale. These charges are for unpaid taxes and sewer for the year 2014.

Industrial Properties may be subject to the Spill Compensation Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq.), and the Industrial Site Recovery Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq.). In addition, the municipality is precluded from issuing a tax sale certificate to any perspective purchaser who is or may be in any way connected to the prior owner or operator of the site.

In the event that the owner of the property is in the military service, on active duty, the Tax Collector should be notified immediately. Only Cash, Certified Check or Bank Cashier Check will be accepted for payment. Prospective bidders must register with the Tax Collector prior to 9:00 AM on the day of the sale. No unregistered bidders will be allowed to participate in the sale.


For a list of properties click ..... HERE