Tax Rebate Programs

There are two separate and distinct property tax relief programs available to New Jersey homeowners.

Property Tax Reimbursement Program (Senior Freeze)

Forms are sent out by the State of New Jersey in January.   For information call 1-800-882-6597.  Online information at  www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml 

This program is designed to freeze the burden of increasing real estate taxes for qualified applicants by establishing a base year of eligibility and comparing that “base” with any subsequent year, the difference to be refunded by the State annually. Eligibility must be continuous otherwise a new base year must be established.
Qualifications are as follows:

1. Must make application annually (with the state)
2. Homeowners age 65 or older or receiving Federal Social Security Disability Benefits and who paid property taxes on their principal residence in New Jersey;
3. Applicants must be NJ residents for at least 10 years, and living in their current home for the last 3 years;
4. Applicant must meet certain income limits for both the “base year” (year applicant first became eligible) and the application year. Income requirements are set by the State annually;
5. Property taxes must be paid in full within the year applied for.

ANCHOR Program - Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters

The ANCHOR program replaces the Homestead Benefit program and expands the amount of property tax relief while also boosting eligibility to twice as many homeowners and including tenants.

Eligible homeowners are encouraged to file applications online or by phone. However, some homeowners will be required to file a paper application. All eligible tenants can file online or by completing a paper application. However, we encourage online filing and tenants have no phone option.

The online application, filing instructions, and paper applications can be accessed at https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/index.shtml. The automated telephone filing system will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the filing period at 1 (877) 658-2972.

To be eligible, homeowners must have:

• Been a New Jersey resident; and
• Owned and occupied a home in New Jersey that was their principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2021; and
• Paid the 2021property taxes on their main home; and
• Had 2019 New Jersey gross income of not more than $250,000.

To be eligible, tenants must have:

• Been a New Jersey resident; and
• Rented and occupied an apartment or residence in New Jersey that was their principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2021; and
• Lived in a unit with its own separate kitchen and bath facilities (if the building had more than one dwelling unit); and
• Paid rent on their main home, which was subject to local property taxes; and
• Had 2019 New Jersey gross income of not more than $150,000.

Applicants will choose to receive their benefits either as a check or direct deposit.

• General online information: nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/index.shtml
• Homeowners file applications by phone: 1 (877) 658-2972
• Homeowners file applications online: nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/home-file.shtml
• Tenants file online: nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/tenant.shtml
• To ask questions: 1 (888) 238-1233
• In-person assistance at Taxation Regional Information Centers. For faster service, we strongly recommend making an appointment: nj.gov/treasury/taxation/contact.shtml