Posted by Debbie/NJ on 3/5/05 6:43am
Msg #23747

NJ Question

When we deduct the cost of notarizations from the amount we got to do the signing (for exemption under Self-Employment Tax), do we count each page that is notarized or do we count how many signatures were on that page that we notarized? I hope I didn't make that sound too confusing. In other words, if I have a signing where there is only 1 signer and five pages to notarize, I would be able to exempt $12.50 for self-employment taxes. However, if I have 2 signers for the same 5 pages can I exempt $25.00 for self-employment taxes? I read the NJ Notary Manual and didn't get an answer. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Reply by PAW_Fl on 3/5/05 8:16am
Msg #23754

That's a good question. Since the NJ manual simply states:

NOTARY SERVICES FEE
Administering an oath/affirmation $2.50/ea
Executing a jurat $1.00/ea
Taking proof of a deed (proof of execution) $2.50/ea
Taking an acknowledgment $2.50/ea

It doesn't clarify if it's per document or per signer. You may need to call the Division of Revenue and ask them.

Reply by Debbie/NJ on 3/6/05 7:13am
Msg #23896

Thank you all for your answers. I thought I was the only one confused by this but I guess not! I'll check with the Division of Revenue and see what they say.

Reply by Sharon Martin on 3/5/05 11:45am
Msg #23781

This is confusing. Here's what I was told at the Arizona Secretary of State Notary Workshop a couple of days ago.

The fee for signatures is $2 here in Arizona. That's $2 for YOUR signature and stamp NOT the signatures of the borrowers! Two borrowers and one Notary signature on a document equals only one $2 fee!

I am certain most notaries in AZ are not operating this way. I just had documents notized for myself a month ago at a UPS store who was charging for the borrowers signatures - which can be a class 5 felony in AZ!

So to answer your question - you count each page that was notarized for the exemption for self-employment tax regardless of the number of signers on that page.

Our whole class argued this point over and over with the AZ Secretary of State Complaint Coordinator at the workshop, and she assured us that we can only charge for our signature and seal.

Reply by PAW_Fl on 3/5/05 12:48pm
Msg #23789

That's fine for AZ, but NJ doesn't specify signature, signer, stamp, seal or document. It simply states a fee for an authorized act is some amount of money. In order to determine the proper way to charge, clarification of the wording is needed.