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Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, & Stay NJ Programs: What to Know

Taxes Social Security

A 60-second read by Victoria Cannillo:  The ANCHOR program ( Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) is available for eligible New Jersey residents who owned or rented their main residence as of October 1, 2024. 

If you are a New Jersey resident who is 65 and older or was receiving Social Security Disability benefits on December 31, 2024, you can now submit a single application for Property Tax Relief for tax year 2024.

For easy reference, the following information has been gathered from the NJ Treasury - Division of Taxation website for Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and Stay NJ programs.  Please visit NJ.gov to learn more.  

How to apply: 

  • You can access the single application (PAS-1) or the ANCHOR application (ANC-1)  through the State of New Jersey website: https://propertytaxreliefapp.nj.gov/
  • The application will require identification verification through ID.me. You will want to have the following in front of you: Driver’s license; State ID; Passport Card or Passport

Filing Deadline:

  • The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025

 Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR):

  • This program provides property tax relief to NJ residents who either owned or rented their main residence as of October 1, 2024
  • To determine your eligibility, below is a list of homeowner requirements:
    • You were a New Jersey resident
    • You owned and lived in your main home in New Jersey on October 1, 2024
    • You paid 2024 property taxes on that home
    • Your 2024 New Jersey gross income was $250,000 or less
  • Tenants have their own set of requirements, as well. These include:
    • You were a NJ resident
    • Your 2024 New Jersey gross income was not more than $150,000
    • You rented and occupied a residence in NJ that was your main residence on October 1, 2024
    • Your name was on the lease or rental agreement
    • You paid rent, etc.
    • See the State of NJ Website for more information about Qualified and Non-qualified Rental Properties
  • Per the State of NJ, they will file on behalf of most eligible residents (that are under 65 and not collecting Social Security disability benefits). They began sending those residents their Anchor Benefit Confirmation Letter on August 13, 2025
  • ANCHOR payments will start on September 15th and continue, with applicants receiving benefits within 90 days of filing

Senior Freeze Benefit:

  • The Senior Freeze Program compensates eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax (or mobile home park site) fee increases on their main residence
  • Eligibility requirements include:
    • You (or spouse/civil union partner) were 65 or older on December 31, 2023, OR
    • You were receiving Social Security disability benefit payments on or before December 31, 2023
  • You owned and lived in your house since December 31, 2020, or prior, and still owned and lived in that house on December 31, 2024
  • You paid property taxes on this home
  • Your total annual income (combined if married/in civil union and lived in that same house) was:
    • $163,050 or less in 2023
    • $168, 268 or less in 2024
  • You are not eligible for a reimbursement on a second home,  or a home your rent to another person, etc. See NJ.gov for more information.
  • Payments are issued on a payment schedule – see https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/ptr/hoamount.shtml

Stay NJ Program:

  • The Stay NJ program offers property tax benefits to eligible homeowners who are 65 or older
  • Eligible applicants will be reimbursed for 50% of their property tax bills, up to a maximum of $13,000, with a 2024 benefit cap of $6,500.
  • Eligibility requirements include:
    • You owned and lived in your home for the full 12 months of 2024
    • Your income is below $500,000
  • If you made P.I.L.O.T. (Payments-in-Lieu-of-Tax) payments to your municipality, you are still qualified
  • Mobile homeowners would not be entitled for this benefit
  • Stay NJ benefits are calculated after ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits are determined
  • Payments are expected in early 2026, to be released on a quarterly basis

If you have any questions, please contact the Baron Team.

Disclosure: This is a general communication being provided for informational purposes only. This material is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research, legal, tax or investment advice. Any decision with Social Security should be confirmed with the Social Security administration or by visiting www.ssa.gov.  Please consult with a qualified tax professional for personal advice.