NJ ANCHOR Property Tax Relief: Amounts & Eligibility
Last updated June 2026 · Educational overview, not legal or tax advice.
ANCHOR — Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters — is New Jersey’s largest property tax relief program. It sends rebates to NJ residents who owned or rented their main home in the state and met income limits. Homeowners can receive up to $1,750 and renters up to $700, based on age and income from 2025.
What is ANCHOR?
ANCHOR is administered by the New Jersey Division of Taxation and replaced the older Homestead Benefit program. It provides a rebate to eligible homeowners and renters (tenants) to offset the cost of New Jersey property taxes, which are among the highest in the country. The benefit you receive depends on whether you owned or rented your main home, your 2025 gross income, and your age in 2025.
How much can you get?
Benefit amounts are based on your 2025 New Jersey gross income (NJ-1040 line 29) and your age in 2025. Homeowners with income over $250,000 are not eligible.
Homeowners
- Age 65 or older: $1,750 if income is $150,000 or less; $1,250 if income is $150,001–$250,000.
- Age 64 or younger: $1,500 if income is $150,000 or less; $1,000 if income is $150,001–$250,000.
Renters / Tenants
- Age 64 or younger: $450.
- Age 65 or older: $700.
If you are 65 or older and did not otherwise claim the $50 NJ Property Tax Credit, that credit may be added to your ANCHOR payment. The total of all property tax relief benefits cannot exceed the property taxes paid on your main home for the year.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you must have been a New Jersey resident who owned or rented your principal residence (main home) in New Jersey and met the income limits for the benefit year. Eligibility for the current cycle is based on residency, income, and age as of 2025. Homeowners with gross income above $250,000 are not eligible. Vacation homes, second homes, and properties you rent out do not count as your main home.
How to apply
Seniors and people receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits file the combined Application for Property Tax Relief (Form PAS-1), which covers ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ. Most other eligible filers under 65 have their ANCHOR application (Form ANC-1) auto-filed and receive a confirmation letter; if yours is not auto-filed, you can apply online or by mailing the ANC-1 form. The filing deadline for the 2025 benefit is November 2, 2026. Payments begin on a rolling basis starting September 15, usually within about 90 days of filing. Always confirm details and amounts at the official New Jersey Division of Taxation ANCHOR page below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ANCHOR and Senior Freeze?
ANCHOR is a rebate for homeowners and renters based on income and age. Senior Freeze (the Property Tax Reimbursement) separately reimburses eligible seniors and disabled residents for increases in their property taxes. Seniors may qualify for both, plus Stay NJ, and file them together on Form PAS-1.
Do renters qualify for ANCHOR?
Yes. New Jersey renters (tenants) who used a NJ rental as their main home and met the income limits can receive $450, or $700 if they were 65 or older in the benefit year.
How much is the ANCHOR benefit for homeowners?
Homeowners age 65 or older can receive $1,750 (income $150,000 or less) or $1,250 (income $150,001–$250,000). Homeowners 64 or younger can receive $1,500 or $1,000 at those same income tiers.
When is the ANCHOR deadline?
The deadline to apply for the 2025 ANCHOR benefit is November 2, 2026. Always check the NJ Division of Taxation site for the most current deadline.
How will I get paid?
Payments begin on a rolling basis starting September 15, usually within about 90 days of filing. Online applicants can choose direct deposit or a paper check; paper filers receive a paper check.
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