Residents of New Jersey have several options for property tax relief, including ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ. Eligibility can vary based on factors such as your age, income, and whether you own or rent your home.
Don’t forget, the deadline to apply for benefits for 2025 is November 2, 2026.
If you’re a senior homeowner or someone receiving disability benefits from Social Security or Railroad Retirement, there’s a combined application called PAS-1. Most eligible renters are expected to have their ANCHOR applications automatically filed by the state, especially those over 65 or receiving qualifying disability benefits.
Already submitted your application? You can check your 2025 property tax relief status here.
Which NJ property tax relief program applies to me?
If you are… | You may qualify for… | What to do |
Under 65 and rent | ANCHOR | Most eligible renters will be automatically filed — just watch for your confirmation letter. |
Under 65 and own | ANCHOR | Most eligible homeowners will also be automatically filed — keep an eye out for your confirmation letter. |
Under 65, own and receive qualifying Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits | ANCHOR and possibly Senior Freeze | You’ll need to file PAS-1. |
65+ and rent | ANCHOR | Most eligible renters will be automatically filed — please watch for your confirmation letter. |
65+ and own | ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ | File PAS-1. |
Keep in mind that not everyone who files PAS-1 will qualify for all three programs, since each has distinct eligibility requirements.
How do I apply?
If you’re 65 or older and own your home, or if you receive qualifying Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits: You should file PAS-1. The state will use this combined application to figure out which benefits you qualify for.
To file the 2025 PAS-1 application,
If you’re a renter: Most eligible renters, across all ages, are set to be automatically filed for ANCHOR on September 15, which includes renters aged 65 and older as well as those receiving qualifying disability benefits.
If you’re an under-65 homeowner who doesn’t receive those disability benefits: Eligible applicants will likely be automatically filed on September 15 as well.
But don’t just assume you’ve been filed automatically. Look out for an ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter from the state. If you don’t receive it, there’s still time; you have until November 2 to file it yourself.
Remember, the deadline is November 2, 2026.
Filing online requires identity verification through ID.me.
How much can I receive from ANCHOR?
ANCHOR benefits can assist qualified New Jersey homeowners and renters.
Homeowners need to have owned and lived in their primary New Jersey residence as of October 1, 2025, while having a gross income of $250,000 or less. Renters must also have rented their main residence on that date, with a gross income of $150,000 or less.
Eligible resident | 2025 ANCHOR benefit |
Homeowner — income $150,000 or less | $1,500 |
Homeowner — income $150,001-$250,000 | $1,000 |
Renter — age 64 or younger | $450 |
Renter — age 65 or older | $700 |
One notable change for 2025: Senior homeowners will not receive the extra $250 ANCHOR benefit that was provided in the previous benefit year.
The New Jersey Division of Taxation has confirmed that the fiscal 2027 state budget does not include the additional $250 for senior homeowners, hence the maximum benefit for homeowners in 2025 is capped at $1,500, regardless of age.
However, the additional $250 benefit has been extended to senior renters, meaning eligible renters aged 65 and older can get up to $700. The current benefit amounts are reflected in the state’s table.
ANCHOR payments will start on September 15, and the state indicates that most applicants should receive their payments within 90 days unless further information is necessary.
Check your ANCHOR eligibility and benefit details.
Who qualifies for Senior Freeze?
Senior Freeze provides reimbursement for eligible seniors and qualifying disability-benefit recipients for increases in property taxes — or eligible site fees in mobile-home parks — above a specified base-year amount.
Generally, applicants must be 65 or older by December 31, 2025.
For those qualifying based on disability, the Division of Taxation has indicated that they must have been receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits as of December 31, 2024 for the 2025 Senior Freeze benefit.
A first-time applicant for 2025 generally needs to have owned and resided in the same New Jersey home since December 31, 2022, and continue to do so through December 31, 2025.
Senior Freeze income limits are:
2024 income: $168,268 or less
2025 income: $172,475 or less
It’s worth noting that Senior Freeze counts some income that may not be included when calculating New Jersey gross income, so don’t rely solely on the ANCHOR income test for qualification.
To apply for the 2025 Senior Freeze benefit, submit your PAS-1 by November 2.
How much might I receive?
The Senior Freeze reimbursement amount varies; it generally depends on the eligible increase in your established base-year property taxes compared to your current property taxes.
Payments for the 2025 benefit year commenced on July 15.
Check your Senior Freeze eligibility and benefit details.
Who qualifies for Stay NJ?
Stay NJ offers additional financial relief to qualified homeowners aged 65 and over.
For the 2025 benefit, either the applicant or spouse must have been 65 or older in 2025, meet the homeowner requirements, and have an income of $200,000 or less. Renters or mobile-home owners are not eligible for this program.
How much can I receive?
The state outlines the following maximum annual Stay NJ benefits:
2025 income | Maximum annualized benefit |
$100,000 or less | $6,500 |
More than $100,000 – $150,000 | $5,000 |
More than $150,000 – $200,000 | $4,000 |
These annualized benefits will be paid in four installments, as confirmed by the Division of Taxation.
The first two installments, expected in February and May 2027, are authorized by the fiscal 2027 state budget. The latter installments, scheduled for August and November 2027, will depend on the fiscal 2028 budget appropriations.
Stay NJ benefits are assessed after ANCHOR and Senior Freeze. The state first applies those benefits and then calculates the Stay NJ amount, covering up to 50% of eligible 2025 property taxes, within the maximum allowed.
It’s important not to just sum up the maximum amounts across all three programs to estimate your total potential benefit.
The Division of Taxation indicated that Stay NJ payments will be sent by check.
Review your Stay NJ eligibility and benefits.
When can I expect my property tax relief payments?
Program | Current payment schedule |
Senior Freeze | Payments began on July 15 |
ANCHOR | Payments start September 15; most will arrive within 90 days of filing. |
Stay NJ | The February and May 2027 installments are authorized; the August and November installments will depend on FY2028 appropriations. |
According to the Division of Taxation, Stay NJ payments will be sent by check.
Check your 2025 NJ property tax relief status here.
Can I qualify for more than one program?
Absolutely. Residents aged 65 and older can be eligible for ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ. The state assesses eligibility for each program and coordinates the corresponding benefits.
If you’re a senior homeowner and uncertain about what programs apply to you, file PAS-1 and let the state figure out which benefits you may receive.
What about mobile home ownership?
Mobile-home owners are classified as renters for ANCHOR, may be eligible for Senior Freeze under specific regulations, and cannot qualify for Stay NJ.
I moved; what now?
Moving doesn’t automatically disqualify you from receiving property tax relief, but different programs handle moves differently.
For example, ANCHOR typically looks at your primary residence as of October 1, 2025, whereas Stay NJ has different rules for homeowners who changed residences during the year.
In the case of Senior Freeze, it’s important to know that relocating to a new property resets your base year to the current property. The first full year in the new home becomes the base year, and the next year may then become the application year if property taxes increase.
Missed a year of Senior Freeze? What can I do?
If you’re an established Senior Freeze recipient and miss a year of filing, you lose that previously established base year, as stated by the Division of Taxation.
However, if you were eligible that year, you can submit the late application for that year to reinstate your previous base year and maintain continuity. If the deadline has already passed, unfortunately, there would be no compensation for that year.
Find additional filing requirements for Senior Freeze here.
Official NJ property tax relief resources
You can file PAS-1 online here.
Check the status of your benefits here.
Visit the NJ Division of Taxation property tax relief hub for more information.
