New Jersey ANCHOR Benefit Program: Check Your Tax Rebate Status Now

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It's time once again for many New Jersey residents to claim property tax relief. Thanks to the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program, potentially millions of eligible taxpayers have received billions in payments in 2025.

The state’s ANCHOR program is designed to provide property tax relief for renters and homeowners, as this year's payments began to roll out in September.

But some may not have received the 2025 NJ ANCHOR benefit yet.

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We’ll cover the ANCHOR rebate payout timeline and go over what you need to know about the property tax relief you could still receive this year.

Key Points

The New Jersey ANCHOR program is designed to provide property tax relief for eligible renters and homeowners.
The PAS-1 application replaced the old application method for some applicants.
ANCHOR rebates are still going out for 2025.

FAQs

What is the NJ ANCHOR program?

The ANCHOR program is a tax rebate for New Jersey-eligible residents renting or owning homes. The bill was signed into law about three years ago. Since then, millions in the Garden State have been provided property tax relief.

Many taxpayers who applied for ANCHOR last filing season were automatically enrolled for this year’s filing season.

However, if you were 65 or older or on Social Security disability payments, you needed to complete a PAS-1 application. This was a "one-stop shop" to apply for ANCHOR and other property tax relief programs, NJ "Senior Freeze," and Stay NJ.

Applicants filled out a single "PAS-1" application for all property tax relief (ANCHOR, "Senior Freeze," Stay NJ).
Applications could be mailed in, OR
Applicants could file online.
The deadline to apply for PAS-1 was October 31, 2025.

But if you didn't qualify for "Senior Freeze" or Stay NJ, the PAS-1 application may not have been right for you. Eligible applicants under 65 or who were not receiving Social Security Disability benefits should've received a letter from the state’s Division of Taxation confirming their eligibility by the end of September 2025.

If you didn't receive an ANCHOR benefit letter but believed you were eligible for the program, you may have applied online here.

Where is my NJ ANCHOR rebate (check status)?

Most will receive their payment about 90 days after application. So, for example, if you applied on the October 31 deadline, your ANCHOR rebate may not reach you until January 29, 2026 (though state holidays may delay the payment).

To check the status of your payment or for general New Jersey property tax relief questions, call 1-888-238-1233.

Last year, the state’s Division of Taxation hired more agents to assist callers with the hotline. There is also an automatic callback feature, allowing you to be placed in a queue rather than wait on hold.

You can also visit one of the state’s Regional Information Centers in person for more information.

How much is the ANCHOR benefit in NJ?

This year’s ANCHOR payments were based on 2024 income limits. That means if you have been a New Jersey homeowner since 2024...

With $150k in gross income or less, you will receive $1,500.
With $150k to $250k in gross income, you will receive $1,000.

...and if you have been a renter in New Jersey since 2024, you will receive $450.

Any ANCHOR program residents aged 65 or older will receive a bonus of $250 in addition to the above applicable payment.

What are the NJ ANCHOR program eligibility requirements?

There were several eligibility requirements for the ANCHOR program, including:

Having been a New Jersey resident since October of last year.
Your 2024 gross income was not more than $250k as a homeowner and $150k as a renter.
You owned or rented your main home since Oct. 1, 2024, and property taxes were paid on the home, or your rental was subject to property taxes.
If you were a renter, your name was on the lease, and you paid the rent.

Starting this year, eligible ANCHOR homeowners no longer needed an Identification Number and PIN to file for benefits. Instead, all applicants used ID.me to verify their identity through the online application.

More on New Jersey

Kate is a CPA with experience in audit and technology. As a Tax Writer at Kiplinger, Kate believes that tax and finance news should meet people where they are today, across cultural, educational, and disciplinary backgrounds.