Governor Jon S. Corzine and State Treasurer Bradley Abelow announced, July 30, 2007, that the Division of Taxation will begin mailing Homestead Rebate checks tomorrow to 1.2 million New Jersey households. Half of the recipients are non-senior tenants who will see their average benefit increase more than three-fold this year under the new Homestead Property Relief Program and FY 08 Budget approved by the Legislature.
“Whether paid through rent or directly through a homeowner’s bill, property taxes are a burden for all New Jersey residents,” said Governor Corzine, who today visited the Hub – the West Trenton warehouse facility where Homestead Rebate checks are being printed and prepped for tomorrow’s mailing.. “This program will provide direct, much-needed
relief while we simultaneously keep the focus on reforms that will bring the cost of government under control,” he said.
Eligible senior and disabled homeowners, as well as all senior and non-senior tenants who filed their applications by June 1, can expect their 2006 rebate checks to arrive beginning later this week. For those who have not yet filed for their 2006 Homestead Rebates or their Senior Freeze (Property Tax reimbursement Program), the deadline has been re-extended, from August 15 to October 31, 2007.
“We want to ensure that all eligible residents have the opportunity to apply for muchanticipated property tax relief,” said Treasurer Abelow. “The August 15 deadline is fast approaching, and many potential applicants, particularly those who may not have been eligible for these programs in prior years, still need time to file. This extension will help to ensure that everyone has the chance to participate,” he said.
Beginning tomorrow, checks will be mailed out to approximately 640,000 non-senior tenants. For these taxpayers, the new maximum Homestead Rebate — $350 — is more than four and a half times greater than last year’s maximum of $75. In this week’s mailing, non-senior tenants will receive an average check of $246.
Also with this mailing, 462,000 senior and disabled homeowners will receive checks amounting up to a percentage of the first $10,000 of their property taxes up to a maximum of $2,000, an $800 increase over last year’s maximum. The rebate percentage is based on income, with a 20 percent rebate for homeowners with an income of $100,000 or less, 15 percent for those with an income between $100,001 and $150,000, and 10 percent for those with an income between $150,001 and $250,000. Because rebates were limited for 2004 and 2005 to homeowners with income of $200,000 or less, rebates paid to senior and disabled homeowners with income of $200,001 to $250,000 will be determined using only the percentage of property taxes. The average check for senior/disabled homeowners is $1,275, up from last year’s average of $1,150.
Approximately 85,000 senior or disabled tenants will receive rebates of $160 to $860. And the nonsenior, nondisabled tenants will receive rebate checks ranging from $80 to $350. Additional rebate checks will be mailed out as soon as possible for senior, disabled and tenant filers submitting applications between June 1 and the extended filing deadline.
Rebate checks for eligible nonsenior, nondisabled homeowners who file their applications by the original August 15, 2007, deadline are scheduled to be mailed in the fall. Checks for applications filed between August 16 and the extended deadline of October 31, 2007, will be issued as quickly as possible, but may not be included in the initial fall distribution.
For information about the Homestead Rebate Program, residents may call 1-888-238-1233. Homeowners who still have not filed their rebate applications can do so by phone (1-877-658-2972) or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ . The automated telephone filing system and Internet filing application are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The filing deadline is now October 31, 2007.
Homeowners and tenants can find out the status of their rebate check by calling 1-877-658-2972, or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/06hrintro.htm . Rebate check information for homeowners who are under 65 and not disabled will not be available either online or by phone until the fall.
Information about the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program is available by calling 1-800-882-6597 or on the Division of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm. Information regarding all State property tax relief programs may be found at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/relief.htm.
