What's Going on With New Jersey Property Tax Programs?

In recent years, New Jersey streamlined the process for property tax relief. Programs ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ offer eligible homeowners (and sometimes renters) savings in property taxes. The combined application is called PAS-1.

“This new one-stop application will make it simpler for residents to apply for the property tax relief benefits they’re entitled to,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio in a press announcement at the form's release.

Last year, over $4 billion in property tax relief was paid out, and that number is expected to hit a record high of $4.3 billion in 2026.

From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance

Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues

CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

So, how do you apply for New Jersey property tax relief? And what do the PAS-1 application and Stay NJ have to offer? Read on.

2026 NJ tax relief: 'Senior Freeze' and ANCHOR updates

New Jersey’s "Senior Freeze" and ANCHOR programs are open for eligible residents, including those 65 or older, homeowners with disabilities, and mobile homeowners.

While the NJ "Senior Freeze" reimburses eligible New Jersey residents for property tax increases, ANCHOR is a tax rebate paid to New Jersey-eligible residents. Both programs calculate how much you receive based on income.

There are also relatively new eligibility standards (changes made in the last couple of years) for NJ ANCHOR and "Senior Freeze" programs:

• Starting last year, eligible ANCHOR homeowners are no longer required to have an Identification Number and PIN to file for benefits.
• For tax year 2025, "Senior Freeze" recipients must have $172,475 or less in total annual income.

Also, "Senior Freeze" recipients are no longer required to provide proof of property taxes paid when applying, which may make future applications a bit easier for many people.

How to apply for the Stay NJ property tax relief

Stay NJ is a new property tax relief program designed to help eligible New Jersey homeowners.

Here are some more details about how to save on property taxes with Stay NJ:

• Eligible homeowners must be 65 and older to qualify (mobile homeowners are not eligible).
• You must have owned and lived in your home for 12 months of the tax year.
• Your income must be $500,000 or less.
• The program reimburses you for 50% on up to $13,000 of your property tax bill (or, said another way, the benefit cap is $6,500).

While last year's payments are currently rolling out, the Stay NJ deadline for 2027 payments is November 2, 2026.

Eligible recipients apply via the PAS-1 application. Stay NJ benefits are calculated after ANCHOR and Freeze benefits are determined.

For more information about Stay NJ payouts, check out Kiplinger's report, Stay NJ Program Could Give You $6,500: Payments Out Now.

Form PAS-1: Property tax relief for older adults in NJ

The relatively new process for applying to New Jersey’s property tax relief programs is to fill out a "PAS-1" application. This replaces the separate applications for "Senior Freeze" and ANCHOR programs for many applicants 65 or older or those on Social Security disability. PAS-1 also introduces the new Stay NJ program.

Here are some tips for how you may apply for property tax relief with PAS-1:

• The state began mailing out application information for PAS-1 in early February 2026.
• Eligible applicants file a single PAS-1 application for all property tax relief (ANCHOR, "Senior Freeze," Stay NJ).
• Applications can be mailed in.
• Or, applicants can file online starting mid-February.
• The deadline to apply for PAS-1 is November 2, 2026.

However, if you are under 65 and not receiving Social Security Disability benefits, do not complete PAS-1. You will need to apply for NJ ANCHOR in the summer of 2026 unless you have been automatically enrolled.

For more information on the NJ ANCHOR automatic enrollment, check out Kiplinger's report, NJ ANCHOR Benefit Arriving: What to Know.

Already filed for ANCHOR NJ? You might still need Form PAS-1

Some homeowners and renters may be confused about the New Jersey property tax relief process. Below are some helpful tips for PAS-1 applicants:

• If you have received ANCHOR benefits in the past, you will receive a letter this summer confirming automatic eligibility. Typically, this means you do not need to file a new application to receive ANCHOR.
• But if you haven’t filled out an ANCHOR application before, the state may mail you an application to apply.
• If you meet eligibility requirements for the other property tax relief programs, you should fill out a new PAS-1 application. This will help you receive the maximum benefit for property tax relief ("Senior Freeze," NJ ANCHOR, and Stay NJ).

Payments related to PAS-1 are expected to roll out as early as July 2026. A letter from the Division of Taxation will be sent out in late 2026 detailing the property tax relief benefits amounts you received for each program.

More on NJ Taxes

• Stay NJ Program Could Give You $6,500: Payments Out Now
• When are NJ ANCHOR Benefits Going Out?
• What is the NJ 'Senior Freeze' Property Tax Program?