New Jersey has three state programs that send money back to people who pay property taxes, directly or through rent: ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ. Seniors and people receiving Social Security disability apply for all three on one form, the PAS-1, and the deadline for the 2025 benefits is November 2, 2026 [1][5][7].
At a glance
- PAS-1 deadline (2025 benefits)
- November 2, 2026 [1][5][7]
- ANCHOR, homeowners
- $1,500 or $1,000, income up to $250,000 [2][3]
- ANCHOR, renters
- $450, or $700 at 65+, income up to $150,000 [2][3]
- Senior Freeze income limits
- $168,268 for 2024 and $172,475 for 2025 [4]
- Stay NJ
- Homeowners 65+, income up to $200,000; up to $6,500 [5]
- Budget
- All amounts and limits depend on the State Budget each year [4][6]
Who files what
- Homeowners and renters who are 65 or older, or who receive Social Security disability (or Railroad Retirement disability) file the PAS-1. It’s a single application for Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ, and it replaced the separate Senior Freeze and ANCHOR applications [1][6]. The Division of Taxation says it won’t file it for you automatically [1].
- Homeowners under 65 and renters use the ANCHOR process. For this group, the Division filed many applications automatically and mailed ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letters on August 10, 2026 [1].
After you file a PAS-1, the Division sends a benefit statement showing what you’ll get from each of the three programs [5].
ANCHOR
ANCHOR is the broadest program. Homeowners and renters can both qualify.
| Who | Income (NJ-1040 line 29) | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner | $150,000 or less | $1,500 |
| Homeowner | $150,001 to $250,000 | $1,000 |
| Renter, 64 or younger | $150,000 or less | $450 |
| Renter, 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2025 | $150,000 or less | $700 |
A few rules worth knowing [2][3]:
- Renters: the address you claim must have been your main home on October 1, 2025, and it generally must have been subject to property tax [3].
- Homeowners: you’re not eligible if your home is completely exempt from property taxes [3].
- Homeowners 65 and older may see a $50 Property Tax Credit added to the ANCHOR payment if they didn’t need to file a tax return or didn’t claim the credit [2].
ANCHOR payments for this round start September 15 [5].
Senior Freeze
Senior Freeze (officially the Property Tax Reimbursement program) pays you back for increases in the property taxes on your main home, compared with a base year . You have to qualify in every year from the base year through the year you’re applying for [7].
To qualify for the 2025 benefit, you must [4]:
- have been 65 or older on December 31, 2025, or receiving federal Social Security disability benefits by then;
- have owned and lived in your home since December 31, 2022, or earlier, and still on December 31, 2025;
- have total income of $168,268 or less in 2024 and $172,475 or less in 2025; and
- own a home that’s subject to property taxes on both land and building.
Senior Freeze payments begin July 15 [5].
Stay NJ
Stay NJ is for older homeowners only. To qualify for the 2025 benefit, you (or your spouse) must have been 65 or older during 2025, owned and lived in the home for all 12 months of 2025, and have total income of $200,000 or less [5]. Renters and mobile home owners aren’t eligible [5].
| Total income | Maximum yearly benefit |
|---|---|
| $0 to $100,000 | $6,500 |
| $100,000.01 to $150,000 | $5,000 |
| $150,000.01 to $200,000 | $4,000 |
| Over $200,000 | $0 |
The 2025 Stay NJ benefit is scheduled to be paid in February and May 2027. The rest of the 2024 benefit is being paid in August and November 2026 [5].
How to get help
The Division of Taxation runs PAS-1 filing events, offers telephone appointments, and has in-person Regional Information Centers [1]. Start at the Property Tax Relief Programs page on nj.gov/treasury/taxation.
Sources
- NJ Division of Taxation: Property Tax Relief Programs
- NJ Division of Taxation: How ANCHOR benefits are calculated
- NJ Division of Taxation: ANCHOR eligibility
- NJ Division of Taxation: Senior Freeze eligibility
- NJ Division of Taxation: Stay NJ
- NJ Treasury: PAS-1 filing season kicks off (Feb. 4, 2026)
- NJ Division of Taxation: Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement)
Common questions
What is the deadline for the PAS-1 in 2026?
November 2, 2026. That's the deadline to apply for 2025 benefits under Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ.
How much is the ANCHOR benefit for the 2025 tax year?
For homeowners, $1,500 with income of $150,000 or less and $1,000 with income from $150,001 to $250,000. For renters with income of $150,000 or less, $450, or $700 if you were 65 or older by December 31, 2025.
Can renters get Stay NJ?
No. The Division of Taxation says renters and mobile home owners aren't eligible for Stay NJ. Renters can still qualify for ANCHOR.