The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who own or rent property in New Jersey as their principal residence and meet certain income limits. The current filing season for the ANCHOR benefit is based on 2020 residency, income, and age.
If you were a NJ resident on October 1, 2020, and either owned or rented your main home (principal residence), then this info is for you.
If you’ve been a NJ resident for a few years, you may be familiar with the NJ Homestead Benefit. In August 2022, it was announced that the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program would replace the Homestead Benefit for the 2019 tax year.
The NJ Division of Taxation will file ANCHOR applications on behalf of most qualified residents who received an ANCHOR benefit earlier this year (for tax year 2019). If you qualify, you will receive an "ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter" in August of 2023, notifying you that you meet the requirements.
If the information in your confirmation letter remains the same as your prior filing, no action is required on your part. Benefit payments will be issued using the same method and banking information used in your prior filing and contained in your confirmation letter. The letter serves as your confirmation of filing and we will not send you an additional confirmation number. However, you can check the status of your benefit payment beginning in mid-October.
If any information from your prior filing changed, you must file your application to update these changes (using one of the blue buttons) before September 30, 2023. If you file online, be sure to choose “CONFIRM” at the end of the process to receive a confirmation number. If you file by phone, do not hang up until you receive your confirmation number. Keep this number for your records as proof that you filed an updated application. We do not issue confirmation numbers for paper applications.
You will not be able to make adjustments to your application after September 30, 2023. Payments will be issued using the information we have on file.
If you haven’t filed for benefits before, we’ll detail the eligibility criteria, filing deadlines and tips to make the application process as simple as possible for you.
ELIGIBILITY
Homeowners are eligible if:
You were a New Jersey resident; and
You owned and occupied a home in New Jersey that was your principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2020; and
2020 property taxes were paid on that home; and
Your 2020 New Jersey gross income was not more than $250,000.
Tenants are eligible if:
You were a New Jersey resident; and
Your 2020 New Jersey gross income was not more than $150,000; and
Your name was on the lease or rental agreement; and
You paid rent; and
You rented and occupied a residence in New Jersey that was your principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2020; and
The rental property was subject to local property taxes, (see Qualified and Non-Qualified Rental Properties).
CREDIT AMOUNT
$1,500 for homeowners with income of $150k or less
$1,000 for homeowners with income between $150k - $250k
$450 for tenants/renters with income of $150k or less
DUE DATE
The filing deadline is December 29, 2023.
WHERE TO APPLY
Click here to file electronically for the 2020 tax year. You’ll receive a mailer or email with your ID and PIN, which you’ll need to apply if you’re a homeowner. Tenants do not need an ID or PIN number to file.
If you are a homeowner and did not receive the mailer or email notification, but you filed a Homestead Benefit application last year, you may be able to retrieve your ID and PIN numbers via the online system.
If you are a homeowner and did not receive the mailer or email notification, and you didn’t file a Homestead Benefit application last year, you'll need to call the ANCHOR Hotline at 1-888-238-1233.
Most NJ residents will be able to apply electronically and if you are, you’re encouraged to do so. If you are unable to apply online for any of these reasons, you’ll need to submit a paper application (paper applications are linked here, and are different for homeowners and tenants).
WHEN TO EXPECT THE PAYMENT
Payments will be issued on a rolling basis. Most applicants can expect to receive their payment approximately 90 days after filing the application, unless additional information is requested to process your claim.
Note that all property tax relief program information provided here is based on current law and is subject to change. If you have any questions about your ANCHOR application or eligibility, please don’t hesitate to contact the ASE Group team.
