Property Tax Rebate Update: Slowdown Addressed By NJ

NEW JERSEY — When filing opened for New Jersey's new tax rebate last month, some residents struggled to connect with the state's hotline on the phone, while others awaited the arrival of their informational mailer. But state treasury officials noted progress since filing season began for the ANCHOR (Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) program.

The state has sent 3.2 million informational mailers to tenants and homeowners and processed 419,000 applications as of Wednesday morning, according to a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of the Treasury.

The treasury continues to receive individual requests for applications from taxpayers who moved, claim they haven't received their application or would prefer a paper application versus online, officials said.

Additionally, the treasury's Division of Taxation created an extensive FAQ to assist taxpayers with questions about the ANCHOR program.

In the early going, many callers had a tough time connecting with a human on the state's ANCHOR hotline. But some modifications have improved the situation, according to state officials. Danielle Currie, the state treasury's press secretary, told Patch the following:

"The ANCHOR hotline is experiencing incredibly high call volumes, as triple the amount of New Jerseyans are now eligible for the program compared to the Homestead Benefit. In anticipation of the significant call volume, the Division of Taxation doubled the number of staff dedicated to answering the ANCHOR information number right out of the gate.

In response to the initially high call volume we also increased the call center queue allowance so that more callers can get through and be placed on hold. Call flow is monitored so that anyone in queue will wait no longer than 30 minutes.

These efforts have significantly helped to keep calls moving and get to more taxpayers as quickly as possible."

The filing deadline for the ANCHOR rebate is Dec. 30 — not to be confused with the Senior Freeze deadline of Oct. 31.

The average benefit is $971 for each eligible resident. Here's what to know about applying.

1. How do I know if I'm eligible for the ANCHOR rebate?

Refer to your gross income from Tax Year 2019. Here's why: the Homestead Rebate program had a slight lag in the tax year for which taxpayers benefitted.

New Jersey residents can apply as homeowners if on Oct. 1, 2019, they:

• 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

Homeowners don't qualify if their residence was completely exempt from paying property taxes or they made PILOT (Payments-in-Lieu-of-Tax) payments.

Unlike the Homestead Rebate, renters can qualify for the ANCHOR program. Taxpayers can qualify as tenants if on Oct. 1, 2019, they:

• rented an apartment, condominium or house
• rented or owned a mobile home located in a mobile home park

But people who lived in tax-exempt, subsidized or campus housing do not qualify.

The following income levels meet the criteria for a rebate:

• Homeowners with a household income of less than $150,000
• Homeowners with a household income between $150,000 and $250,000
• Renters with incomes up to $150,000

2. How much of a benefit can I receive?

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.

With about 2 million people impacted, ANCHOR rebate recipients will receive an average of $971 for this year.

3. When is the application deadline?

Dec. 30.

4. When will I receive my rebate?

State officials will issue all payments as checks or direct deposits beginning late spring and no later than May, according to treasury officials. Officials won't issue payments in the order they're received.

5. How can I apply?

Eligible homeowners can apply online, by phone or by uploading or mailing a paper application and necessary attachments through the state's electronic filing system.

Renters don't have the phone option. Qualifying renters can apply online, or upload or mail a paper application with the necessary attachments to the electronic filing system.

6. How do I request a paper application?

For homeowners: If you received a mailer with an ID and PIN, you can access the online filing system. Input the ID and PIN. Then on the next screen, select the electronic filing system link to complete the application online and upload the paper application with attachments (if required), or download, print and mail the completed paper application with attachments.

If you didn't get a mailer or email but filed a Homestead Benefit Application last year, officials said to access the online ID and PIN inquiry system to retrieve your ANCHOR ID and PIN.

For tenants: Tenants don't need a special ID or PIN. They will instead enter their taxpayer ID (SSN or ITIN) and then answer the filing questions.

For tenants who must file a paper application, see this form. Taxpayers can complete these applications online and upload them to the electronic filing system, or download, print and mail them.

7. I haven't received my informational mailer yet. When can I expect to receive it?

Treasury officials sent the mailers on the following schedule:

• Burlington, Hunterdon, and Mercer: mailing expected to begin Sept. 19, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 13.
• Atlantic and Essex: mailing expected to begin Sept. 20, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 13.
• Bergen and Warren: mailing expected to begin Sept. 21, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 16.
• Ocean, Salem and Sussex: mailing expected to begin Sept. 22, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 20.
• Cumberland, Gloucester and Hudson: mailing expected to begin Sept. 23, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 20.
• Monmouth and Somerset: mailing expected to begin Sept. 23, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 23.
• Passaic and Union: mailing expected to begin Sept. 26, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 27.
• Cape May and Middlesex: mailing expected to begin Sept. 28, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 27.
• Camden and Morris: mailing expected to begin Sept. 30, email delivery expected to begin Sept. 29.

Call the ANCHOR hotline at 1-888-238-1233 if you don't receive your 2019 ANCHOR filing information within 10 business days of your county's mailing date.

8. I'm a homeowner, but I received a tenant mailer (or vice versa). What should I do?

Call the ANCHOR hotline at 1-888-238-1233.

See more answers to frequently asked questions for both homeowners and renters.