With the deadline approaching, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury is urging eligible seniors and disabled residents to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax reimbursement program by October 31. The initiative reimburses qualifying individuals for increases in property taxes or mobile home park site fees on their principal residences.
Recent changes by Governor Murphy and the Legislature have expanded eligibility by raising the income threshold to $163,050 for 2023 and removing a 10-year residency requirement. These adjustments have made an additional 58,000 New Jerseyans eligible for the program.
State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio emphasized the importance of this resource: “The Senior Freeze program continues to be an important resource for New Jersey’s seniors, providing property tax relief every year.” She also encouraged eligible residents to use the new online filing option.
To qualify, applicants must meet several criteria. They need to be at least 65 years old as of December 31, 2022, and must have owned and lived in their home since December 31, 2019. Additionally, they should have paid property taxes or mobile home site fees on time in both 2022 and 2023. Income requirements stipulate earnings of $150,000 or less in 2022 and $163,050 or less in 2023.
Applications were mailed out in February. Those who did not receive one should contact the New Jersey Division of Taxation's Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement Information Line at 1-800-882-6597. The department has also introduced an online filing service to streamline applications.
Payments began on July 15 and will continue as applications are processed. Applicants can check their reimbursement status online.
Treasurer Muoio also encourages residents to explore other available property tax relief programs in New Jersey.
