$2B Tax Rebate Deadline Changes, More Qualify For NJ’s ANCHOR Program

Update: This article now contains more detail about the update in eligibility for the ANCHOR Program.

NEW JERSEY — Qualifying taxpayers have an extra month to apply for New Jersey's new, $2 billion property tax rebate. The state also made additional residents eligible for the ANCHOR (Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) program.

Renters who had previously been ineligible because their unit is under a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) can now apply for the benefit. State officials also extended the filing deadline by a month — previously Dec. 30, now Jan. 31 — for all eligible taxpayers, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury announced Friday.

The ANCHOR program replaces New Jersey's Homestead Rebate as the state's primary program for property tax relief. About 2 million residents — including, for the first time, some renters — qualify for relief.

The benefit is for 2019, so residents should file with their primary residence from Oct. 1 of that year.

The average benefit is $971 for each eligible resident: Homeowners with a household income of less than $150,000 can get a $1,500 rebate. Homeowners with a household income between $150,000 and $250,000 can receive $1,000. Renters with incomes up to $150,000 will receive $450 each.

The state will still send payments no later than May, treasury officials told Patch.

The update in eligibility will aid about 162,000 state residents through a combined $73.1 million in relief, according to treasury officials. Homeowners in PILOT housing remain ineligible.

"After a review of the existing law, it was determined that extending the ANCHOR benefit to renters/tenants is permitted by statute," said Melinda Caliendo, a state treasury spokesperson.

The state will "embark on an aggressive advertising and marketing campaign" to make sure every eligible New Jerseyan applies for relief, according to the treasury. The agency's Division of Taxation is soliciting proposals for such campaigns to increase awareness of the new program.

"In order to achieve meaningful relief for hard-working taxpayers, we must expand access and improve awareness of our efforts to promote affordability and opportunity in New Jersey," Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.

Here's filing info and the treasury's FAQ page for the ANCHOR program.