08/25/2023
IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING THE NEXT ANCHOR REBATE!
The next ANCHOR property tax relief benefit will be paid automatically for most New Jersey residents who qualify for the program.
Letters started to be mailed Tuesday to notify more than 1.3 million eligible residents about the change.
If you received ANCHOR this past spring, you are automatically reenrolled for ANCHOR for fiscal year 2024.
Homeowners 65 or older earning $150,000 or less will receive $1,750. Those earning between $150,001 and $250,000 will receive $1,250.
Homeowners under the age of 65 earning $150,000 and under will receive $1,500 and those earning between $150,001 and $250,000 will receive $1,000.
Renters over the age of 65 who earn less than $150,000 will receive $700. Renters who are 64 and under will receive $450.
The change to an automatic application will be a welcome improvement to many applicants who said they encountered problems getting help in completing or following up on the initial ANCHOR application last year. The ANCHOR hotline was plagued with phone calls from people who said they needed help or information, but more than half went unanswered and only 9% reached a live representative.
But if any of your information has changed, you will have to report the changes to the agency by Sept. 30. You won’t need to file an entirely new application. Instead, taxpayers can update their existing information in the online ANCHOR portal.
If you do not receive a confirmation letter, you should receive a filing packet in the mail by Sept. 1. Homeowner packets are green, while renter packets are purple.
Residents who don’t receive a confirmation letter or filing packet can still apply.
Most homeowners can file online or by phone with an identification number (ID) and PIN.
However, if you bought your home in 2020, altered your deed, or had certain life changes such as a divorce or death of a spouse, you must file an application by mail.
Renters also may file using the online option, but they don’t need an ID and PIN.
People whose applications are not filed automatically have a deadline of Dec. 29 to file. With the first ANCHOR benefit, the state extended the deadline three times.
You can check the status of your benefit payment beginning in mid-October.
A majority of eligible residents will receive their payments before Nov. 1, noting that most will receive their payments approximately 90 days after filing the application unless the state requests additional information to process the claim.
The ANCHOR hotline is (877) 658-2972.
Here is a link to ANCHOR FAQs:
The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program replaces the Homestead Benefit. ANCHOR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for homeowners.
