Lacey Township, New Jersey - Tax Rebates and Deduction Programs

There are two separate and distinct property tax relief programs available to New Jersey homeowners.

Property Tax Reimbursement Program (forms are sent out by the State in January) For information call 1-800-882-6597

Online information at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/2009ptr senior freeze.shtml

This program is designed to freeze the burden of increasing real estate taxes for qualified applicants by establishing a base year of eligibility and comparing that “base” with any subsequent year, the difference to be refunded by the State annually. Eligibility must be continuous otherwise a new base year must be established.
Qualifications are as follows:

1) Must make application annually (with the state)

2) Homeowners age 65 or older or receiving Federal Social Security Disability Benefits and who paid property taxes on their principal residence in New Jersey;

3) Applicants must be NJ residents for at least 10 years, and living in their current home for the last 3 years;

4) Applicant must meet certain income limits for both the “base year” (year applicant first became eligible) and the application year. Income requirements are set by the State annually;

5) Property taxes must be paid in full within the year applied for.

Homestead Rebate for the year 2009

In September the 2010 homestead rebate applications were mailed to those homeowners that could be identified as senior (age 65 or older on December 31, 2009) or disabled homeowners. The Division of Taxation is now in the process of mailing applications to eligible homeowners. The mailing of the application packets will be staggered over a two-week period beginning this week. The deadline for filing is November.

The homestead rebate application delivery dates by county are as follows:

County Expected Delivery Date

Cape May, Union - September 25

Bergen, Burlington, Cumberland, Warren - September 18

Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic - September 22

Morris, Ocean - September 11

Atlantic, Essex, Monmouth, Sussex - September 8

Camden, Hudson, Hunterdon, Salem, Somerset - September 15

With very few exceptions, homeowner rebate applications must be filed by phone or over the Internet. Homeowners who receive a packet should read it carefully, and if they meet the eligibility requirements, complete the worksheet in the packet prior to filing.

Some senior and disabled homeowners may receive an application packet in this mailing, even though they have already filed for their 2009 homeowner rebate. Homeowners who have already filed their applications online or by phone and received a confirmation number, or who have completed and mailed in a paper application, should NOT file again.

Applicants must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a 2009 homestead rebate:

· Own and occupy a home in New Jersey that was their principal residence on October 1, 2009;

· Have gross income for 2009 of $150,000 or less for over 65 blind or disabled; $75,000 or less under 65.

· The home must be subject to local property taxes, and 2009 property taxes must have been paid by December 31st 2009.

Instead of receiving a rebate check (or direct deposit) as in previous years, eligible homeowners will receive their homestead benefit for 2009 as a credit on the property tax bill for the second quarter of 2011. A mailer will be issued by the tax office advising you of the credit applied to your second quarter taxes. However, any homestead benefit for which you are eligible will be issued in the form of a check (or direct deposit) if (1) your principal residence was a unit in a co-op or continuing care retirement community or (2) you stated in your application that you no longer own the property that was your principal residence on October 1, 2009.

The amount of the benefit is based on an applicant's income, filing status, property taxes, and whether the applicant was age 65 or older or eligible to claim an exemption as blind or disabled for tax year 2009. The State Budget mandates that the 2009 benefit will be calculated using 2006 property taxes. Under the terms of the Budget, the 2009 benefit amount, when annualized, cannot exceed the homestead rebate amount paid for 2006 unless there has been a change in an applicant's filing characteristics. "Filing characteristics" means a reduction in income range, a change in age/disability status or filing status, or an increase in percentage of ownership.

Amounts received under the Homestead Benefit Program are in addition to the State's other property tax relief programs. The total amount of all property tax relief benefits received (homestead benefit, property tax reimbursement, property tax deduction for senior citizens/disabled persons, and property tax deduction for veterans) cannot exceed the amount of property taxes paid on the applicant's principal residence for the same year.

Under New Jersey Law, if an applicant receives a benefit that is larger than the amount for which they are eligible, the applicant will be required to repay any excess received. The amount owed can be deducted from the applicant's homestead benefit or income tax refund or credit before the payment is issued.

The homeowner rebate automated telephone filing system (1-877-658-2972) and Internet filing application on the Division of Taxation Web site (www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/) will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the filing period. Any homeowner who believes that they are eligible for a 2009 homeowner rebate, but who has not received their application packet by October 1, 2010 may call the Homestead Rebate Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 for assistance.

Members of the public with questions should be referred to the following:

Homestead Rebate (for homeowners):

· To file applications by phone: 1-877-658-2972

· To file applications online: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/

· To ask questions: 1-888-238-1233

TTY Equipment Users: 1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300

E-mail address for homestead rebate questions: nj.homesteadrebate@treas.state.nj.us

E-mail address for general tax questions: nj.taxation@treas.state.nj.us

Agents are available during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to answer questions or to assist homeowners in filing their applications.

Information about the Homestead Rebate Program is available on the Division of Taxation Web site:

General information for homeowners:

www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/06hrhomeownergeninf.htm

Income criteria and rebate amounts for homeowners:

www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/06hrhomeowneramounts.htm

List of “Frequently Asked Questions”

www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pdf/homestead/06hrfaq.pdf