Tax Tip #162

Senior Freeze reimburses qualifying seniors and disabled individuals for increases in property taxes on their principal residences.

The deadline for filing senior freeze reimbursement applications is October 31, 2023.

For the first time, applications for this program may be filed online at njportal.com/taxation/ptr.

The Senior Freeze program is designed to relieve the burden of increasing property taxes for qualified applicants by establishing a base year of eligibility, “freezing” the property tax and comparing that base with any subsequent year. The difference is then refunded by the State annually. To qualify for the reimbursement, taxpayers must meet all the eligibility requirements for each year from the base year through the current application year. Eligibility must be continuous, otherwise a new base year must be established.

Residents must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• 65 or older on 12/31/2021.

• Received Social Security benefits on or before 12/31/2021.

• Lived in NJ continuously since 12/31/2011, or earlier, as either a homeowner or renter.

• Owned and lived in their home, since 12/31/2018, or earlier.

• Paid property taxes on time in 2021 and 2022.

• Meet income requirements:

• 2021 - $94,178 or less; and

• 2022 - $99,735 or less

Applications for the current 2022 Senior Freeze program were mailed in February to the last address from which taxpayers filed. Anyone who did not receive a booklet should call 800-882-6597.

The Division of Taxation began issuing payments on 7/10 & will continue to do so on an ongoing basis as applications are received. Applicants can check the status/amount of their Senior Freeze reimbursement at www20.state.nj.us/TYTR_PTR_INQ/servlet/common/PTRLogin