October 31 Deadline for Filing Homestead Rebate Quickly Approaching

“Senior Freeze” Applications due by month’s end as well

TRENTON, NJ – October 24, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Jon S. Corzine and State Treasurer David Rousseau today reminded New Jersey homeowners and tenants that the deadline for filing their 2007 Homestead Rebate applications is Friday, October 31, 2008. The deadline for senior and disabled residents to file their 2007 Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze) applications is October 31 as well.

“With just one week remaining to apply, we urge anyone who has not yet filed for these property tax relief programs to do so. Time is running out,” said Governor Corzine. “We’ve dedicated about $2.3 billion in budget funding for these two programs alone, but the full reach of our efforts won’t be realized unless everyone who is eligible applies for this relief.”

State Treasurer Rousseau said that homeowners who have not yet applied for the Homestead Rebate can file by phone (1-877-658-2972) or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tenants can complete and file a paper Homestead Rebate Application, Form TR-1040. Copies of Form TR-1040 and instructions are available on the Division of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/prntgit.htm. Or, tenants can use NJ WebFile, the Division’s free Internet filing system at www.njwebfile.com.

Residents who need assistance can call the Homestead Rebate Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Both homeowners and tenants who have already filed their applications can get information on the status of their Homestead Rebate checks by calling 1-877-658-2972, or online http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/hrintro.htm

The Homestead Rebate and Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze) Programs are separate programs, and residents who qualify must file separate applications for each program.

Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze) applicants can call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-882-6597 to get information on the status of their reimbursement checks, to request an application, or to speak to a Taxation representative for assistance.

Information about the Homestead Rebate and Senior Freeze Programs, as well as other New Jersey property tax relief programs, is available on the Division of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/relief.htm.