Office of the State Treasurer

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tom Vincz
May 26, 2006
(609) 633-6565
Application Deadlines Extended for Property Tax Rebates and Senior Freeze Program

 

 TRENTON – State Treasurer Bradley Abelow and Acting Division of Taxation Director Carol O’Cleireacain announced today that the deadline for senior and disabled homeowners to file 2005 homeowner property tax rebate applications has been extended to August 15. The deadline for filing a 2005 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) application has also been extended to August 15. The original due date for applications for both relief programs was June 1.

 “With the June 1 deadline quickly approaching, many senior and disabled homeowners still need time to file,” Treasurer Abelow said. “We want to do all we can to ensure that eligible residents can take advantage of these two property tax relief programs,” he said.

 New Jersey residents who owned a home as their principal residence on October 1, 2005, paid property taxes on that home, and meet certain income limits may be eligible for the 2005 FAIR homeowner rebate. Applications for this program were mailed to senior and disabled residents in May, and are expected to be sent out to nonsenior, nondisabled homeowners in July.

 Homeowners who are 65 or older or disabled and have received a FAIR homeowner rebate application but have not yet filed can file by phone by calling 1-877-658-2972, or they can file online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation. The automated filing systems are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Homeowners aged 65 or older or disabled with questions about this homeowner rebate, or who have not received a 2005 application and believe they are eligible, should call the FAIR Rebate Hotline at 1-888-238-1233. Representatives are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 Under the second relief program, the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement), eligible senior citizen and disabled homeowners are reimbursed by the State for the difference between the amount of local property taxes paid in “the base year” (the year they became eligible and first filed for the program) and the amount of property taxes paid for the reimbursement year. Applicants must satisfy ownership and residency requirements and meet certain income limits. Income eligibility thresholds increased this year from $40,869 to $41,972 for single applicants and from $50,113 to $51,466 for married applicants. Filers must continue to meet all eligibility requirements and must file an application each year to receive the reimbursement.

 For more information on the 2005 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program, or to obtain an application, contact the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-882-6597 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information about the Program is also available on the Division of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm.

 Checks for applicants who file by the original June 1 deadline will be included in the main mailing for both programs, which is currently scheduled for mid-July for the Senior Freeze and early August for the homeowner property tax rebates. While checks for applicants who file after the June 1 deadlines cannot be guaranteed for delivery with the mass mailings, they will be processed and delivered as quickly as possible thereafter.

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