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.
|