How to Apply for NJ Property Tax Credit Programs

New Jersey provides several programs to reduce the financial weight of property taxes. These state-administered initiatives offer direct relief to eligible homeowners, renters, senior citizens, and disabled individuals. The programs target different populations, so understanding the purpose and eligibility of each is important.

This assistance is not automatic, as residents must apply. The application process and qualifications are specific to each program, and a successful application results in a direct payment from the state.

The ANCHOR Program

The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program provides property tax relief to homeowners and renters. The program operates based on residency and income criteria for a designated tax year, with benefit amounts structured to provide more relief to those with lower incomes. The state has also initiated automatic enrollment for many prior-year recipients, simplifying the process for returning applicants.

Homeowners

To qualify as a homeowner, an individual must have owned and occupied a home in New Jersey as their principal residence on October 1, 2022. The property must have been subject to local property taxes, and the applicant must meet certain income thresholds. For the 2025 benefit year, homeowners with a 2022 New Jersey gross income of $150,000 or less are set to receive $1,500, while those with a gross income between $150,001 and $250,000 qualify for a $1,000 benefit.

An additional benefit is available for senior citizens. Homeowners aged 65 or older may receive an extra payment on top of their standard benefit. For instance, in the 2025 benefit year, eligible seniors could receive an additional $250, increasing their total relief to $1,750 or $1,250 depending on their income tier.

Renters

To be eligible, a renter must have occupied a residence in New Jersey as their main home on October 1, 2022, be listed on the lease, and have paid rent. The rental property must be subject to local property taxes, which excludes tenants in most tax-exempt housing.

For the 2025 benefit year, renters with a New Jersey gross income of $150,000 or less are eligible for a $450 payment. Similar to homeowners, renters aged 65 and over may qualify for an additional $250 benefit, bringing their total potential payment to $700.

The Senior Freeze Program

The Property Tax Reimbursement Program, more commonly known as the Senior Freeze, protects qualifying senior citizens and disabled individuals from escalating property taxes. It does not actually freeze a homeowner’s tax rate but instead reimburses them for any property tax increases they incur after establishing a “base year.” This means that once a resident qualifies, the state will refund the difference between their base year property tax amount and the current year’s higher amount, effectively locking in the tax amount they paid in their first year of eligibility.

To qualify, an applicant must be 65 or older or be receiving federal Social Security disability benefits. They must have also owned and lived in their home for at least three years. The program has income limits that are subject to change; for the 2024 application year, the income limit was $168,268.

Continuous eligibility is a requirement of the program. An applicant must meet all requirements, including the income limit, for every year from their base year through the current application year. This structure provides a stable and predictable property tax burden for those on fixed incomes.

Information and Documents Needed to Apply

Applicants need specific information and documents for New Jersey’s property tax relief programs. For recent application cycles, the state has moved toward a single, combined application for seniors and disabled persons. This simplifies the process for those eligible for the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and the new Stay NJ program.

ANCHOR Program

Homeowners applying for the ANCHOR benefit will receive a mailer from the state containing an ANCHOR ID and PIN, which is used to file online or by phone. Applicants will also need the following:

• Their Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• Their New Jersey gross income from the relevant tax year, found on Form NJ-1040
• The property’s block and lot number from a property tax bill
• Their spouse’s Social Security Number, if applicable

Renters applying for the ANCHOR program do not need an ID or PIN. Their application requires their Social Security Number (or ITIN), their New Jersey gross income for the specified year, and confirmation that their name was on the lease for their principal residence on October 1 of that year. The New Jersey Division of Taxation’s website has the necessary forms and instructions.

Senior Freeze Program

Applicants for the Senior Freeze program must provide documentation to verify their eligibility. This includes proof of age or disability, such as a birth certificate or a Social Security award letter. Income verification for both the base year and the current application year is also required, using documents like Form NJ-1040.

Applicants must also provide copies of their property tax bills for the current year and their established base year. Form PAS-1 is now the primary application for seniors, and it is a single, combined form used to apply for the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and the Stay NJ program simultaneously. The state automatically determines eligibility for all three programs from this one application. Stay NJ, with payments beginning in 2026, offers a property tax credit to homeowners aged 65 and older with an income below $500,000.

The Application Process

The submission methods for applications vary between the ANCHOR and Senior Freeze programs, with an increasing emphasis on electronic filing. The state has streamlined these procedures to make them more efficient for applicants.

ANCHOR Program

Homeowners can file their ANCHOR application online, by phone, or by mail, using the ID and PIN from their state mailer for online and phone submissions. Renters must file online or mail a paper application. After submitting, applicants receive a confirmation number that should be saved as proof of filing.

Senior Freeze Program

The Senior Freeze application was traditionally a mail-in process. However, with the introduction of the combined application, Form PAS-1, eligible seniors can now file online for the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and Stay NJ programs. This online portal is the only method that allows for a direct deposit payment option.

After submission, applicants for either program can track their application status online. Processing times vary, with payments issued on a rolling basis. Benefits are paid by direct deposit for those who file online and select it, or by a paper check mailed to the applicant’s address.