Applying for property tax relief this year is about to get a whole lot easier for many New Jerseyans, the Department of the Treasury announced on Tuesday.
Over 1.3 million taxpayers who received property tax relief benefits through the Affordable Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program last year will soon receive a letter confirming their eligibility for this year’s program and notification that they will not need to re-file an application to receive a check or direct deposit in most circumstances.
The Department of the Treasury’s Division of Taxation began mailing benefit confirmation letters today. The letters include detailed information on how recipients will receive their benefit this year (via check or direct deposit, matching their choice from last year), as well as confirmation of their mailing address and bank information. If this information has not changed in the last year, recipients will NOT need to file an application to receive their benefit this year. Benefits will automatically be distributed by November 1, 2023.
If recipients need to change their mailing address, bank account number, or other qualifying information outlined in the letter, applicants must file an application by September 30, 2023.
Additionally, the Division of Taxation will soon begin mailing applications to two million residences with the goal of reaching additional homeowners and renters who may also be eligible to apply for the program. Application mailers will be sent between August 22nd and 28th. These applicants will have until December 29, 2023, to file an application. Benefits will be distributed on a rolling basis within 90 days of filing.
Examples of envelopes for the benefit confirmation letters for previous applicants and application mailers for new applicants are attached.
This is the second year the state will distribute ANCHOR benefits. Last year, more than 1.7 million renters and homeowners applied for and received a payment ranging from $450 to $1,500 under the program covering the 2019 tax year.