Claim $1,750 in Tax Refunds Now – Here’s Who Qualifies Before October 31

Claim $1,750 in Tax Refunds Now – New Jersey is an American state that has high property taxes. Property taxes are widely recognized as one of the highest in the country with the average household paying over 9,000 per year in property taxes. This is a heavy burden to low and middle income families. Nevertheless, the state government has put in place a strong network to reduce these tax overloads, as a result of which thousands of families are being directly refunded taxes.

Unified Application System: Now Everything on a Single Form

To maintain the continuity of these programs in the state of New Jersey by 2025, the government has incorporated three major programs, namely, ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ into one form of an application called PAS-1. These will now be obtained under one application form that is the PAS-1. In the past, people were required to apply to different programs individually, this has been streamlined and brought to the fore.

ANCHOR Tax Refund Program

The greatest element of this effort is the ANCHOR Program that particularly focuses on older adults. Adults aged 65 and above earning no more than 150,000 each year can get direct tax refund of up to 1750. Also, they also enjoy the Senior Freeze Program that offers them security against higher tax rates.

Under this relief package, about 1.2 million households receive relief every year according to the official statistics, which show that an average of about 3 billion is distributed per year under this relief initiative. This comes in handy to support families that are finding it challenging to deal with the increasing property taxation.

Eligibility Rules

There are strict requirements to the participation in the ANCHOR program. The crucial one is that the beneficiaries should buy or rent their primary residence in New Jersey not later than October 1, 2024, and pay taxes on it. This is needed not only by individual owners of homes but also of people residing in cooperatives, condominiums and retirement communities.

There also exist income limits. You will get the full benefit in case your income is up to 150,000. But when your income falls in the range of 150,000-250,000, you will get half a benefit.

Who is excluded from the benefits?

Some of these properties cannot be covered by the program like second homes, vacation homes, buildings that have over four units or properties with P.I.L.O.T. (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) scheme. In the case of renters, the program has been extended to mobile homes, condominiums and cooperatives but not the housing facilities of universities, housing operated by nonprofits and tax-exempt properties.

Priority for Senior Citizens and the Disabled

Those aged above 65 and disabled are accorded priority under the ANCHOR program. But the people in this category do not qualify to get automatic filing as other groups. Form PAS-1 has to be filled manually by them.

Income should not exceed 150,000 to get the greatest benefit. It is only then that you will get back a full refund of 1750.

Senior Freeze and Stay NJ Programs

In addition to ANCHOR, two other programs provide relief to individuals.

• Senior Freeze Program: This program specifically compensates for tax increases. If a given year’s tax exceeds the “base year,” the difference is refunded directly to the beneficiary. This relief typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.
• Stay NJ Program: This new program is specifically for those over 65. If their income is up to $500,000, they will receive a waiver of half of their annual tax. However, the program’s payment process will begin in 2026 and will provide a maximum annual relief of $13,000.

Benefit Calculation and Amount

All benefits are calculated at the end of the year and notified to beneficiaries through an official notification letter.

• Homeowners aged 65+: Up to $1,750
• Homeowners under 65: Up to $1,000 to $1,500
• Senior Renters: Up to $700
• Senior Freeze Benefit: The full difference from the tax increase, averaging $1,000 to $2,000

Payment Dates and Process

ANCHOR refund payment will start September 15, 2025, and be paid in 90 days. Those elderly citizens and those who are disabled and apply on time should receive their money by October.

In the meantime, Senior Freeze payments are starting in July 2025 and will go through the fall. Funds will also be given during this time to applications that are still undergoing processing.

How to check application status?

People can contact the helpline number 609-826-1042 to verify the status of your application or payment or use the online portal. Such services will not be disrupted even during a government shut down.

FAQs