While Toms River’s municipal tax rate has remained unchanged for three straight years, homeowners are continuing to see higher overall property tax bills driven largely by school tax increases.
TOMS RIVER — Toms River homeowners are facing another increase in school taxes this year, even as the township government holds its municipal tax rate steady for a third consecutive year.
The Toms River Regional School District’s tax levy increased 4.9% for the 2026-27 budget year, resulting in higher school tax bills across all four municipalities served by the district. The increase follows a 12.9% school tax hike imposed by the New Jersey Department of Education for the 2025-26 budget year.
Combined, residents have experienced school tax increases totaling roughly 18.4% over the past two years, following years of budget pressure tied to reductions in state aid.
School taxes rise across district
For Toms River property owners, the school tax rate now stands at $1.030 per $100 of assessed property value.
Based on the township’s average residential assessment of approximately $450,600, the annual school tax bill is about $4,641, representing an increase of roughly 4.6% from the previous year.
The tax impact varies across the district’s municipalities:
- Toms River: $1.030 per $100 assessed value, up 4.6%
- Beachwood: $1.474 per $100 assessed value, up 5.3%
- South Toms River: $1.272 per $100 assessed value, up 11.4%
- Pine Beach: $0.980 per $100 assessed value, up 8.2%
District officials have attributed the latest increase largely to rising employee health insurance costs and continuing state aid challenges.
State aid cuts continue to impact district
The Toms River Regional School District has spent years grappling with substantial reductions in state funding.
District officials have previously reported losing more than $175 million in state aid under New Jersey’s school funding formula, forcing budget cuts, staff reductions, and repeated tax increases to maintain operations.
The state’s intervention in the district’s 2025-26 budget resulted in a 12.9% school tax increase after local officials failed to adopt a spending plan that met state requirements.
The district’s board later approved the 2026-27 budget with a 4.9% tax levy increase in April.
Municipal taxes remain unchanged
Unlike the school district levy, Toms River’s municipal tax rate has remained frozen at 43.7 cents per $100 of assessed value for three consecutive years.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick’s 2026 municipal budget maintained the township tax rate at $0.437 per $100 of assessed value, matching the rates adopted in 2024 and 2025.
For a home assessed at the township average of $450,600, the municipal portion of the property tax bill remains approximately $1,969 annually.
Town officials have credited budget reductions, staffing changes, and healthcare savings with helping avoid municipal tax increases.
Understanding the total tax bill
Municipal taxes represent only a portion of a homeowner’s overall property tax bill.
Residents also pay separate taxes to the Toms River Regional School District and Ocean County, meaning increases in school or county taxes can still raise overall tax bills even when township taxes remain unchanged.
As a result, many homeowners are seeing higher total property tax bills despite the township’s municipal tax rate remaining flat.
Key Points
• Toms River’s municipal tax rate has remained unchanged at $0.437 per $100 of assessed value for three straight years.
• The Toms River Regional School District approved a 4.9% tax levy increase for the 2026-27 budget year.
• School taxes have risen significantly in recent years following major state aid reductions and a state-imposed 12.9% increase for 2025-26.
