ANCHOR program NJ benefits for the current cycle are based on 2025 residency and income and pay $1,500 to homeowners with income of $150,000 or less, $1,000 to homeowners earning $150,001 to $250,000, and $450 to renters earning up to $150,000, or $700 for renters 65 and older. Most homeowners under 65 and most renters were filed for automatically, while seniors and people receiving Social Security Disability must apply on the combined PAS-1 form. The deadline is November 2, 2026. Payments began on September 15, 2026, and usually arrive within 90 days of filing.
Key Takeaways
- Homeowners: $1,500 with 2025 income up to $150,000, or $1,000 with income from $150,001 to $250,000.
- Renters: $450, or $700 if you were 65 or older by December 31, 2025, with income up to $150,000.
- Residency test: the home must have been your main home on October 1, 2025.
- Deadline: November 2, 2026, for the 2025 application.
- Seniors apply on Form PAS-1, one application for ANCHOR, Stay NJ and the Senior Freeze.
- Payments started September 15, 2026, on a rolling basis, usually within 90 days of filing.
- Funding: the FY2027 state budget includes about $2.186 billion for ANCHOR.
Figures follow NJ Division of Taxation guidance for the 2025 ANCHOR benefit, reviewed in September 2026. This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice.
What Is the ANCHOR Program NJ Offers?
ANCHOR stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters. It replaced the old Homestead Benefit and sends direct property tax relief to homeowners and renters whose main home is in New Jersey. Renters qualify because part of their rent covers the landlord’s property taxes.
The Division of Taxation names each cycle by the year the benefit is based on. The application now open is the “2025” ANCHOR application: it uses your 2025 income and where you lived on October 1, 2025, even though you file and get paid in 2026.
ANCHOR Program NJ Benefit Amounts
Your benefit depends on whether you owned or rented, your 2025 New Jersey gross income from line 29 of the NJ-1040, and, for renters, your age.
| Applicant | 2025 NJ gross income | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowner | $150,000 or less | $1,500 |
| Homeowner | $150,001 to $250,000 | $1,000 |
| Homeowner | Over $250,000 | Not eligible |
| Renter, age 64 or younger | $150,000 or less | $450 |
| Renter, age 65 or older | $150,000 or less | $700 |
| Renter | Over $150,000 | Not eligible |
Renters who were 65 or older by December 31, 2025, receive an additional $250, which is why their benefit is $700. The Division’s current benefit table for homeowners lists $1,500 and $1,000 without a separate age column, so senior homeowners should also look at Stay NJ and the Senior Freeze, covered below.
The $50 property tax credit
If you are 65 or older and did not claim the $50 Property Tax Credit on an NJ-1040, because you are not required to file or did not claim it, the Division adds that credit to your ANCHOR payment.
Benefit cap
Your combined property tax relief cannot be more than the property taxes paid on your main home for the same year. That total includes ANCHOR, the Senior Freeze, Stay NJ and property tax deductions for seniors, disabled persons and veterans.
Who Is Eligible for the ANCHOR Program NJ Benefit
Homeowners
- You were a New Jersey resident and owned and lived in the home as your main home on October 1, 2025.
- 2025 property taxes were paid on that home.
- Your 2025 NJ gross income was $250,000 or less.
- Condo owners and co-op shareholders who paid property taxes on their unit count as homeowners.
You are not eligible for a vacation or second home, property you rent to someone else, a property with more than four units, or a home that is fully exempt from property taxes. Homeowners who made PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) payments to their town instead of property taxes are also not eligible.
Renters
- You were a New Jersey resident renting your main home on October 1, 2025.
- Your 2025 NJ gross income was $150,000 or less.
- Your name was on the lease and you paid rent.
- The unit had its own kitchen and bath, if the building has multiple units.
- The rental was subject to property taxes. Units under a PILOT agreement with the town are an exception and can qualify.
The Combined PAS-1 Application
New Jersey now uses one form, the Application for Property Tax Relief (PAS-1), for three programs: the ANCHOR program NJ residents know, Stay NJ and the Senior Freeze. Seniors use this single form to apply for whichever of the three they qualify for.
| Program | Who it serves | 2025 application basics |
|---|---|---|
| ANCHOR | Homeowners and renters | Income up to $250,000 for homeowners or $150,000 for renters |
| Stay NJ | Homeowners 65 and older | Owned and lived in the home all of 2025; income up to $200,000 |
| Senior Freeze | Homeowners 65 and older, or receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability | Owned the home since December 31, 2022; income of $168,268 or less in 2024 and $172,475 or less in 2025 |
Stay NJ changes in the FY2027 budget
Stay NJ is designed to cover up to half of an eligible senior’s property tax bill. The FY2027 budget capped eligibility at $200,000 of income, with annualized maximum benefits of $6,500 for income up to $100,000, $5,000 from $100,000.01 to $150,000, and $4,000 from $150,000.01 to $200,000. The 2025 Stay NJ benefit is scheduled to be paid in February and May 2027.
How to Apply for the ANCHOR Program NJ
If you are under 65 or a renter
The Division filed on behalf of most eligible homeowners under 65 who do not collect Social Security Disability or Railroad Retirement Disability, and most eligible renters of all ages. These residents received an ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter around August 10, 2026. Changes such as new banking information were due by September 15, 2026. If you did not get a letter, you can file on your own by November 2, 2026.
If you are 65 or older or receive disability benefits
- Gather your documents, including your 2025 income figures, your property tax bill with your block and lot, and your county and municipality code.
- Choose how to file. Apply online through the Division of Taxation’s property tax relief portal, or mail a paper PAS-1.
- Verify your identity. Online filers confirm their identity through ID.me instead of the old ID and PIN numbers.
- Report all 2025 income, including income that is not taxable in New Jersey. You do not need to attach proof of income.
- Pick a payment method. Online filers can choose direct deposit for some payments, while paper filers receive all benefits by check.
- File by November 2, 2026.
For help, call the Property Tax Relief Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 or visit a Division of Taxation Regional Information Center.
When ANCHOR Payments Arrive
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| August 10, 2026 | Benefit Confirmation Letters mailed to auto-filed residents |
| September 15, 2026 | Deadline for auto-filed residents to change banking or property details; first ANCHOR payments issued |
| Rolling, after filing | Most payments within about 90 days of filing |
| November 2, 2026 | Deadline to file the 2025 PAS-1 or ANCHOR application |
The Senior Freeze pays on its own schedule starting July 15, and Stay NJ pays in installments. As a result, seniors may see separate payments for each program.
How to Check Your ANCHOR Program NJ Status
The Division of Taxation offers an online status check on its ANCHOR page. Choose the 2025 benefit year and enter the requested details. You can also call the hotline. If your application needs more information, the Division will send a letter, so answer quickly to avoid delays. If you receive a check by mistake, the Division asks you to return it.
How the ANCHOR Program NJ Is Funded
The FY2027 state budget, signed June 30, 2026, includes about $2.186 billion for ANCHOR, part of more than $4.1 billion in direct property tax relief. The same budget funds about $756 million for Stay NJ and $345 million for the Senior Freeze.
Related Money and Tax Guides
Our guide to NJ income tax rates and brackets explains the NJ-1040 income figure that ANCHOR uses, and the NJ budget FY2027 explainer covers the funding. You can also review NJ sales tax rules. Browse more in our Money & Taxes section or on the NJ News Today homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ANCHOR Program NJ
How much is the ANCHOR benefit in 2026?
For the 2025 benefit year paid in 2026, homeowners receive $1,500 with income up to $150,000 or $1,000 with income up to $250,000, and renters receive $450, or $700 if 65 or older.
What is the deadline for the ANCHOR program NJ application?
The deadline to file the 2025 ANCHOR or combined PAS-1 application is November 2, 2026.
What are the ANCHOR income limits?
Homeowners must have 2025 New Jersey gross income of $250,000 or less, and renters must have income of $150,000 or less.
Do I need to apply for ANCHOR?
Most homeowners under 65 and most renters were filed for automatically, but homeowners 65 and older and people receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability must file Form PAS-1.
What is the PAS-1 form?
PAS-1 is New Jersey’s combined Application for Property Tax Relief, used to apply for ANCHOR, Stay NJ and the Senior Freeze at once.
When will I get my ANCHOR payment?
ANCHOR payments began on September 15, 2026, and are issued on a rolling basis, usually within 90 days of filing.
How do I check my ANCHOR status?
Use the online status check on the Division of Taxation ANCHOR page, or call the Property Tax Relief Hotline at 1-888-238-1233.
How much funding does ANCHOR get in the FY2027 budget?
The FY2027 New Jersey budget includes about $2.186 billion for ANCHOR.
Do Not Miss the November 2 Deadline
The ANCHOR program NJ pays up to $1,500 to homeowners and up to $700 to renters for the 2025 benefit year. Many residents were filed for automatically, but seniors and disability recipients must submit the PAS-1, which also covers Stay NJ and the Senior Freeze. File by November 2, 2026, check your status online, and call 1-888-238-1233 if you need help.