Why are the quarterly amounts different?

Your real estate property tax bill is made up of taxes collected on behalf of the municipality, the school district(s), the county and any special districts that may be created. The tax rate is not known at the beginning of the calendar year, the first two quarters of every year equal half of the total taxes billed the prior year. The third and fourth quarters reflect the balance due once the tax rate has been determined. The school budget is voted on each year in April, and the State of New Jersey budget is adopted by June 30th.  The tax rate is determined once the school budget, municipal budget, county budget and state budget have been established.