Are you eligible for any of these programs?
The NJ Division of Taxation offers Property Tax Deduction/Credits for homeowners and tenants who pay property taxes, either directly or through rent, on a principal residence in New Jersey and who may qualify for either a deduction or a refundable credit. Details and eligibility requirements for programs can be found on the state’s website at: 

https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/relief.shtml

Or by calling General Tax Information: 609-826-4400 or 1-800-323-4400

Property Tax Reimbursement aka “Senior Freeze”
We are pleased to let our residents know that the Property Tax Reimbursement program commonly known as “Senior Freeze” has been reinstated in the State’s budget. The deadline to file is February 1, 2021. This program “freezes your property taxes to the level in the year you become eligible.  You must still pay your current property taxes, but will be refunded the difference between your current level and the baseline year level by the state.  Eligibility requirements, including income limits and program benefits, are subject to change by the state budget. You (or your spouse/civil union partner) may be eligible if you meet all of the following requirements from base year through application year.

Online: www.State.NJ.US/Treasury/taxation

For a video of a presentation on the Senior Freeze program, click here: https://youtu.be/N7g13UOtloc

Note:  if you learn that you were previously eligible  but had not filed, you may be able to move your baseline year back. Contact the state for information on how to complete the paperwork for this.

Property Tax Deduction by Veteran or Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner
This program gives a $250 deduction for qualified war veterans or their surviving, unremarried spouses/ domestic partners. To qualify, you must:  

• Have had active war time service in the US Armed Forces and been honorably discharged.
• Own the property, wholly or in part, and be a citizen and legal resident of New Jersey.

Claim forms may be picked up from and must be filed with the municipal tax assessor.

“Homestead Benefit” (for homeowners)
The deadline to file for this year is November 30, 2018.
You may be eligible for this  rebate if you met these requirements:

• You were a New Jersey resident; and
• You owned and occupied a home in New Jersey that was your principal residence on October 1, 2016*; and
• Property taxes for 2016 were paid on that home; and
• You met the 2016 income requirements:
  • $150,000 for homeowners age 65 or over or blind or disabled; or
  • $75,000 for homeowners under age 65 and not blind or disabled.

Most eligible homeowners receive their Homestead Benefit property tax relief in the form of a credit on their second-quarter property tax bill. Some eligible homeowners received it in the form of a check .Eligible seniors and disabled residents can expect to see a property tax reduction of approximately $259. All other eligible homeowners will receive an estimated $202.

Apply by phone: 1-877-658-2972 online: www.State.NJ.US/treasury/taxation. E-mail: NJHomesteadbenefit@treas.State.NJ.US.  

*If you were not a homeowner on October 1, 2016, you are not eligible for a Homestead Benefit, even if you owned a home for part of the year.

“Real Property Tax Deduction” for Senior Citizens
During the tax year for which the deduction is claimed, annual income (and of  spouse/civil union partner combined) does not exceed $10,000 after a permitted exclusion of Social Security Benefits, or Government Retirement/Disability Pension.  Eligible residents usually have $250 deducted from their fourth quarter tax bill.

Eligibility for the property tax deduction is established in the year prior to the calendar tax year for which the deduction is claimed as follows:

• New Jersey Citizenship as of October 1 pre tax year
• Property Ownership as of October 1 pre tax year
• Residence in New Jersey and in Dwelling House as of October 1 pre tax year and
• Residence in New Jersey for 1 year immediately prior to October 1 pre tax year
• Senior Citizen Age 65 or more as of December 31 pre tax year
• Permanent and Total Disability as of December 31 pre tax year
• Surviving Spouse/Surviving Civil Union Partner Age 55 or more as of December 31 pre tax year and at the time of spouse's/civil union partner’s death.