Marita Sciarrotta, a 40-year career public servant who has spent the entirety of her working history with the Department of Treasury‘s Division of Taxation, has been appointed acting director of the division — the agency where she has spent decades contributing to dozens of public programs that impact the lives of New Jerseyans.
Her promotion was effective Sept. 25.
Sciarrotta most recently served as the division’s deputy director tasked with oversight of Collection & Enforcement, Data Systems and Taxpayer Services activities. She was the driving force behind the successful administration of the inaugural ANCHOR property tax benefit program, its marketing campaign, outreach events and filing clinics, which resulted in the submission of approximately 1.7 million applications by eligible homeowners and tenants.
“Marita’s passion for public service shines in everything she does,” Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said. “Her strong work ethic and dedication to her community has guided her four decades at the Division of Taxation. From her days as a call center operator, to assisting Superstorm Sandy victims, to helping administer the landmark ANCHOR program, Marita has made a difference in the state of New Jersey. I’m excited for her to begin her next chapter at the agency she’s called home for her entire career.”
“I feel pride, humility and a great deal of excitement to be named acting director of the Division of Taxation. This is more than a job title, it’s the result of hard work, dedication, faith, embracing challenges and building a supportive network of tremendous colleagues,” Sciarrotta said. “The work we do here is so important for the health of our state and the welfare of its citizens. The revenues we collect and protect keep the lights on, infrastructure safe, support families and protect the most vulnerable. What we do is honorable, and I’m so proud to lead an agency staffed with professional, yet compassionate people.”
Sciarrotta’s long history with the Division of Taxation began as a high school student, working part-time performing clerical work from sorting mail to typing data reports. She later moved to Taxation’s call center, where she answered calls from taxpayers on the state’s newly minted tax amnesty programs.
Sciarrotta went on to serve as an investigator and manager in the Collection and Enforcement Activity, Compliance and Field Branches unit, before being promoted to State Executive Service as an assistant director of taxpayer services.
Over her career, Sciarrotta became a subject matter expert in multiple tax types and contributed to dozens of programs and initiatives, including the creation of Taxation University, coordinating five amnesty programs, directing the Department of the Treasury’s outreach to victims of Superstorm Sandy and creating the administrative infrastructure to execute the New Jersey health care insurance mandate.
Additionally, Sciarrotta serves on several national tax-focused committees, designing workshops and agendas with the Multi-State Tax Commission and the Federation of Tax Administrators and is frequently a guest speaker at regional and national conferences.
Sciarrotta holds an Executive Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration.
