ANCHOR property tax relief program deadline extended to Feb. 28

Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)

This program provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who owned or rented their principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2019, and met the income limits.

To file for your benefit and for more information please visit https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/anchor/index.shtml .

ANCHOR FAQ

1. When is the ANCHOR application deadline?The deadline is February 28, 2023.

   Note: The ANCHOR program is separate from the Senior Freeze program.

2. Who is eligible for the ANCHOR program?ANCHOR eligibility is as follows:
   • NJ homeowners with income of $150,000 or less will receive $1,500.
   • NJ homeowners with income of more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000.
   • NJ residential renters with income of $150,000 or less will receive $450. You must have paid rent to be eligible.
3. Is there an age limit for ANCHOR?No.
4. Is the process of filing for ANCHOR different than Homestead?If you previously participated in the Homestead Benefit program, you’ll find that the application process is nearly the same, if not more streamlined than before.
5. How do homeowners apply?Homeowners need an ANCHOR ID and PIN to apply online or by phone. If you did not receive a mailer or email with an ID and PIN, but filed a Homestead Benefit application last year, access the online ID and PIN inquiry system to retrieve your ID and PIN. Certain homeowners must file a paper application for reasons listed below.

   Apply Online or Apply by phone: 1-877-658-2972

   If you must file a paper application, you can print Form ANCHOR-H  and mail it along with any necessary supporting documents.

6. How is the benefit calculated?Homeowners should click the following link to find out How ANCHOR Benefits Are Calculated and Paid.
7. Do I have to report my ANCHOR benefit on my New Jersey Income Tax return?No. ANCHOR benefit payments are not reportable as New Jersey income.
8. When and how will I receive my 2019 ANCHOR benefit payment?All payments will be issued as checks or direct deposits beginning late Spring 2023 (no later than May 2023). You select the payment method when you file your application. Payments will not be issued in the order they are received.
9. I heard homeowner ANCHOR informational mailers are being sent out with an ID and PIN number I need for my application, but I did not receive one yet. When can I expect to receive mine?All 2019 informational mailers have been sent out. If you erroneously received a tenant mailer discard it. If you have not received your homeowner ANCHOR mailer and you filed last year or in 2018 for the previous Homestead Benefit and are eligible for the same property under the ANCHOR program, you may retrieve your ID and PIN here. If you did not file for the Homestead Benefit last year or cannot obtain your ID and PIN, call the ANCHOR Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 to speak to a representative.
10. What if I own my home with a non-spouse?Each owner must file a separate ANCHOR application.
11. I owned a home and I rented out two bedrooms to renters/ tenants, and all three of us live in the home. Both renters/tenants signed their own lease. Are we all eligible for the benefit?Yes, you are eligible for ANCHOR as a homeowner and the others as renters/tenants. Each individual would have to file their own ANCHOR application.
12. I am having trouble downloading the paper application online. What should I do?This may be a browser or software issue. You should use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome and update to the latest Adobe software to download a paper application.

    If after you select to download the PDF you receive a “Please wait…” message, you must go to your “Files” folder, choose your “Downloads” folder and open the PDF “ANCHOR_Homeowners_2019.”

13. I have tried calling the ANCHOR Hotline for assistance, but could not get through. How can I get my questions answered?We encourage you to check ANCHOR.NJ.GOV before calling to get answers to your questions. It is important to note the ANCHOR deadline has been extended to February 28, 2023. The ANCHOR Hotline is experiencing incredibly high call volumes, as triple the number of New Jerseyans are now eligible for the program compared to the Homestead Benefit. Our agents are working diligently to answer as many calls as possible
14. I used the wrong account/routing number when I filed my ANCHOR application? How do I fix it?You can update or correct your direct deposit information using this fillable form providing your name, Social Security Number, incorrect and correct banking information, and a copy of your government issued ID using one of the following methods:
    •  fax: 609-292-0134
    •  Email: NJ.ANCHOR@treas.nj.gov
    • Upload (Instructions will be on the form)