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New Jersey: owe the IRS or the NJ Division of Taxation?

Hi, I'm Kathleen. In New Jersey, an unpaid state tax bill can turn into a court judgment and a call from a collection company. Call or text me and we'll start with what you have.

📞 Call (208) 614-1965 Free Consultation📸 Text a photo of your letterText (208) 614-1965 from your phone

Need it released fast? Wage garnishments can be released generally within 48 hours, depending on your case. Timing depends on things like unfiled returns, but I get started the same day you call.

What a Certificate of Debt means

New Jersey has its own personal income tax, run by the Division of Taxation. If a balance goes unpaid, the Division can file a Certificate of Debt (COD) with the Superior Court, and it has the same force as a court judgment. Once that's in place, the Division can levy your bank account, and a cost of collection fee gets added to what you owe. Source: nj.gov/treasury/taxation, “Judgments” and “The Collection Process”

A collection company may contact you

New Jersey sends unpaid accounts to a private collection company, which assigns a caseworker who writes and calls. The Division warns that the real vendor will never ask you to wire money or load a prepaid card. If you have a New Jersey letter and an IRS notice, send me both and we'll sort out which is which. Source: nj.gov/treasury/taxation, “The Collection Process”

Help from Nampa, wherever you are in New Jersey

I'm based in Nampa, Idaho, and I don't have an office in New Jersey. I work with people nationwide by phone, text and email. I can help you sort out what you owe the IRS and the NJ Division of Taxation, and what your next steps are. Snap a photo of your letter, text it to me, and we'll go from there.

What happens when you call

Calling about taxes can feel scary. It doesn't have to be. Here's what happens:

A free, private call with me. You talk to me, Kathleen, not a call center. Tell me what's going on, at your own pace. No judgment, and no obligation.
I look at your letters. I read what the IRS and the state sent you and figure out where you really stand: what you owe, for which years, and what's coming next.
You get a clear plan. I lay out your options and next steps in plain English, so you know exactly what to do and you're not guessing anymore.

I named this business for my late husband, Steve, a CWO5 in the U.S. Marine Corps. He taught me to show up, pay attention to the details, and never leave anyone to face a hard thing alone. After 30 years in taxes, that's how I treat every person who calls me.

Talk to the owner directly. 30 years of tax experience.

Free consultation. Plain answers. Based in Nampa, Idaho. Helping clients nationwide, including New Jersey.

Call (208) 614-1965 Request a free consultation

Common questions

What is a New Jersey Certificate of Debt?

It's a tax lien the Division of Taxation files with the Clerk of the New Jersey Superior Court. It has the same force as a docketed court judgment, and the Division uses it to collect, for example through bank levies. Source: nj.gov/treasury/taxation

More help

Other states

Leatherneck Bookkeeping is based in Nampa, Idaho and has no office in New Jersey. We work with clients nationwide by phone, text and email. Leatherneck Bookkeeping is not a law firm and does not represent clients before the IRS or any state tax agency. With your signed IRS Form 8821, we can pull your IRS transcripts and receive copies of your IRS notices. When you call the IRS, we join the call and help you, but you speak for yourself. State tax information here is general and comes from the New Jersey Division of Taxation's website; rules change, so check your own notice. Results depend on your facts and the rules that apply; no outcome is guaranteed.