STAFFORD – With so many people packed into a senior tax relief seminar that an overflow room had to be opened, it was clear that interest – and confusion – surrounds New Jersey’s new property tax relief programs.
Christina Quinones, Stakeholder Liaison for the New Jersey Division of Taxation, addressed the crowd during the Stafford DCA Conference on Seniors. She outlined major changes to the state’s tax relief programs and urged attendees to forget everything they thought they knew about how to apply.
“The reason I’m asking you to forget about everything you know is because this year property tax relief season looks very different, and filing for property tax relief looks very different,” Quinones shared. “And the reason that it looks so different is because you’re going to file all of your property tax relief in one place.”
Quinones added that applicants won’t have to worry about multiple deadlines as three separate types of property tax relief for seniors and social security disability recipients are all due by October 31, 2025.
The state has consolidated three programs – Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and the new StayNJ – into a single, simplified application known as PAS-1. Paper copies are available in blue booklets, and applications can also be filed online at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov. Online filing is the only way to receive direct deposit, and it requires an identity verification process through ID.me. Paper applications result in paper checks.
One caveat: property tax relief program benefits are subject to the results of the state budget signed by the end of June. There’s always the chance that one or more programs could be subject to change or elimination.
“This application truly aims to make filing for property tax relief a lot easier for our seniors and disabled homeowners, tenants and mobile homeowners,” emphasized Quinones.
Residents should note the importance of filing the applications. If they don’t, they won’t collect anything – not even the ANCHOR benefit they may have automatically received in the past.
Programs Explained
The combined PAS-1 application covers the following:
Senior Freeze: For NJ residents born before 1959 or those permanently disabled and receiving Social Security as of December 31, 2023. Applicants must have lived in their homes (or leased a site in a mobile home park and lived in their mobile home) in 2020 and through December 31, 2024. They must also have paid property taxes by June 1 (site fees by December 31, 2024 and met 2023 and 2024 income units)
ANCHOR (Affordable NJ Communities for Homeowners and Renters): Offers a flat benefit to homeowners earning $250,000 or less, and renters earning $150,000 or less.
StayNJ: For homeowners aged 65+ with incomes under $500,000 who lived in their home for all of 2024. After applying other programs, StayNJ may cover 50 percent of remaining property taxes, up to a $6,500 cap for 2024.
Some of the issues might be confusing. For example, mobile homeowners or manufactured homeowners are considered homeowners for the Senior Freeze.
“When you become eligible for the Senior Freeze because you’ve been there for three years, you’re considered a homeowner for that program,” Quinones explained to residents who asked questions. “For ANCHOR, you’re considered a tenant. Lot rent is considered a tenant under the StayNJ program as well. So you’re considered a homeowner under the Senior Freeze and a tenant for everything else.”
Still Confused? You’re Not Alone
Despite the effort to simplify things, there was noticeable confusion in the room. Many residents expressed uncertainty about eligibility, income limits, and how each benefit amount is calculated.
That confusion is understandable, Quinones said, given that this is a major overhaul.
Residents who need help can take advantage of the following resources:
Website: propertytaxrelief.nj.gov – download forms, check eligibility, and file electronically.
Property Tax Relief Hotline: 1-888-238-1233
Galloway Regional Information Center of the NJ Division of Taxation: Visit their offices at 157 West Whitehouse Pike in Galloway.
Ocean County Offices of Senior Services: Southern Ocean County residents can find help nearby at the local office located at 700 Route 9 South in Stafford.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for any of the property tax relief programs, officials urge you to apply anyway. Assistance is available at no cost through Senior Services or the Division of Taxation. Just be sure to submit all required forms by the October 31, 2025 deadline. And remember – all property tax relief programs depend on the state budget being finalized by the end of June.
