New Jersey Announces ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program

One of the largest property tax relief programs in New Jersey history is officially underway.

New Jersey announced a new Property Tax Relief Program which replaces the previous Homestead Benefit program and has expanded eligibility for property tax relief for Tax Year 2019. The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Property Tax Relief Program will benefit a large number of homeowners and tenants.

This program provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who owned or rented their principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2019, and met the income limits. If you meet the requirements, you may be eligible for a benefit payment. 

You should file electronically - either online or by phone (1-877-658-2972), unless you are required to file a paper application. Visit the NJ Division of Taxation's Instructions on How To File to find information on What You Need to File and Filing a Paper Application under the "Filing Information for Homeowners" tab.

The filing deadline for the ANCHOR Application - Tax Year 2019 - is December 30, 2022.

You will find detailed information for both homeowners and tenants below, as well as additional resources to help determine your eligibility.

Homeowners

You are eligible 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 (main home) on October 1, 2019; and
  • 2019 property taxes were paid on that home; and
  • Your 2019 New Jersey gross income was $250,000 or less.

If you were not a homeowner on October 1, 2019, you are not eligible for a homeowner benefit, even if you owned a home for part of the year.

You are considered a homeowner if, on October 1, 2019, you:

  •  Owned a house,
  •  Owned a condominium and paid property taxes on your unit;
  •  Were a resident shareholder of a cooperative housing complex;
  •  Were a resident of a continuing care retirement community and your continuing care contract requires you to pay the proportionate share of property taxes attributable to your unit.

You do not qualify if your residence was completely exempt from paying property taxes or you made P.I.L.O.T. (Payments-in-Lieu-of-Tax) payments.

Find additional information for homeowners here

ANCHOR Tenant

You are considered a tenant if, on October 1, 2019, you:

  • You were a New Jersey resident; and
  • Your 2019 New Jersey gross income was not more than $150,000; and
  • Rented an apartment, condominium, or house;
  • Rented or owned a mobile home located in a mobile home park.

You do not qualify if you lived in tax-exempt, subsidized, or campus housing.

Find additional information for tenants here.

Additional resources from nj.gov include Check the Status of your 2019 ANCHOR Benefit and ANCHOR Program Frequently Asked Questions