Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze)

New Jersey

2019

No Variation in Receipt of Benefits

Credit

The state reimburses to the taxpayer the difference between the amount of property tax paid in the base year (i.e. first year of meeting all eligibility requirements) and the amount paid in the current year. The calculation of the reimbursement uses the gross amount of property taxes before deducting any senior citizen and/or veteran's property tax deductions the applicant receives. Applications must be made annually to the State Department of the Treasury. Applications for the 2018 Senior Freeze must be made by 31 October 2019.

Direct payment to taxpayer

Residential

Eligible properties include multiple-family buildings with up to 4 units with no more than 1 commercial unit, as well as mobile homes. Vacation homes are not eligible.

Age

Disability

Homeowner

Income Ceiling

Applicants must be at least 65 years of age in the year prior to the benefit, or must be receiving Federal Social Security disability benefits. In 2018, the applicant must be the owner of the homestead or a manufactured or mobile home or a lessee of a site in a mobile home park and have lived in the home since 31 December 2014, and continuously in the state since 2007. Eligible claimants are only entitled to receive payments on one homestead within the state in the same tax year. Current and prior year property taxes must have been paid in full by 1 June of that year. In 2018, income limit is based on 2017 and 2018 income. The limit for both married and single individuals is $87,268 in 2017 and $89,013 in 2018. Applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements for 2 consecutive years in order to be eligible. For seniors and disabled homeowners who move to another home within New Jersey, an eligible claimant in a previous tax year can qualify as an eligible claimant beginning in the second full tax year following the move to another homestead, despite not meeting the 3-year minimum residency and ownership requirements.

Local government is unable to exercise an option

No local option regarding program features

State reimburses all of the local government tax loss

The state reimburses the homeowner directly.

NJ104_RR19