By Vin Gopal

We want to make sure residents are aware that applications for the next property tax reimbursement program are now available and that the state Division of Taxation has begun issuing checks for the current Stay NJ payments.

My LD11 partners, Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, and I are proud to have sponsored legislation that enabled the successful launch of New Jersey’s first combined property tax relief application last year for the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and Stay NJ benefits. 

Checks based on the 2024 tax year began arriving at the homes of eligible residents last week. Everyone who is collecting a Stay NJ benefit will receive paper checks by mail.

The ANCHOR program is open to all residents, homeowners and renters, who meet the income and residence requirements, regardless of their age. Seniors aged 65 and older, disabled homeowners and mobile homeowners may also be eligible for Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ property tax relief benefits. When residents complete the PAS-1 application, they will be considered for all which they meet the eligibility requirements.

The current online application for the 2025 tax year is now live at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov. However, residents should complete their 2025 NJ Income Tax Return prior to completing their PAS-1, unless they do not file NJ Income Tax form.

In addition to more than 500,000 households that Treasury’s Division of Taxation began mailing paper application booklets to last week, an estimated 162,000 applicants who filed online last season will receive postcards from the Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation inviting them to apply online again this year.

While taxpayers are encouraged to apply now, the state will begin distributing benefits in summer 2026. The Division of Taxation expects to distribute the Senior Freeze portion of benefits in July 2026; ANCHOR benefits in September 2026; and Stay NJ payments in February 2027. The deadline to complete the PAS-1 is November 2, 2026. The availability of New Jersey’s property tax relief programs is subject to State Budget appropriations. 

Here are some useful links. 

You may check the status of your current application (for the 2024 tax year) at this Division of Taxation website nj.gov/treasury/taxation/relief.shtml. The new PAS-1 applications for the 2025 tax year are available at propertytaxreliefapp.nj.gov/, or you may call our Legislative District 11 office at (732) 704-3808 and we will send you a paper application. 

Here are a few important reminders about this season’s PAS-1 combined application.

The income eligibility requirements for Senior Freeze recipients have changed. To be eligible for Senior Freeze, an applicant’s total annual gross income has increased from $168,268 or less in 2024 to $172,475 or less in 2025. The Income Worksheet section is now included in the application itself, rather than the filing instructions. Taxpayers who recently moved will receive new Income Worksheets.

The income eligibility for ANCHOR remains the same as previous years. Homeowners’ income must be $250,000 or less. The maximum income for tenants to qualify is $150,000.

The maximum income to qualify for Stay NJ remains the same as last year at $500,000 or less.

The maximum combined benefit for all three programs remains 50 percent of the property taxes paid in the subject year, up to $6,500. Eligibility requirements, including income limits, and benefits available for all property tax relief programs are subject to change by the State Budget. For more information, please visit nj.gov/treasury/taxation/relief.shtml

Our LD11 staff will be happy to mail LD11 residents a paper application, answer questions, and help them fill out their application. Please call our office at  (732) 704-3808 for assistance.

We’re here to help.

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