The Property Tax Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax increases. The amount of the reimbursement is the difference between the amount of property taxes that were due and paid for the "base year" (the first year that you met all the eligibility requirements) and the amount due and paid for the current year for which you are applying for the reimbursement, provided the amount paid for the current year was greater. You must meet all the eligibility requirements for the base year and for each succeeding year, up to and including the current year to qualify for the reimbursement. See Property Tax Reimbursement Definitions for more information.

Residents who receive homestead benefits and/or property tax credits or deductions may also receive the property tax reimbursement if they meet the eligibility requirements. However, the total of all property tax relief benefits that you receive (property tax reimbursement, homestead benefit, property tax deduction for senior citizens/disabled persons, and property tax deduction for veterans) cannot exceed the amount of property taxes (or rent/mobile home park site fees constituting property taxes) paid on your principal residence for the same year.

Under New Jersey law, if an applicant receives a property tax reimbursement that is larger than the amount for which they are eligible, the applicant will be required to repay any excess received. The amount owed can be deducted from any property tax reimbursement, income tax refund or credit, or homestead benefit before the payment is issued.

Note: Under the terms of the State Budget for FY 2012, only those applicants whose income for 2010 does not exceed $70,000 (the original limit was $80,000) will be eligible to receive reimbursements for 2010, provided they met all the other program requirements. While residents whose income was over $70,000 but not over the original income limit of $80,000 will not receive reimbursements for 2010, even if they met all the other program requirements, they should apply to establish their eligibility for benefits in future years. Even though these applicants will not get a check for 2010, they have established their “base year” for any future reimbursements for which they may be eligible, and they will receive a notice advising them of this.