To apply for NJ ANCHOR property tax relief for the 2025 tax year, most homeowners and renters under 65 don’t have to do anything. The New Jersey Division of Taxation auto-files their applications and mails a confirmation letter in August 2026. If you’re 65 or older, or you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits, you have to file yourself using a combined form called the PAS-1. The deadline for every ANCHOR filing is November 2, 2026.1New Jersey Division of Taxation. Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)
Do You Actually Need to Apply?
Probably not, if you’re under 65 and not on Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability. The Division of Taxation uses information already on file to determine eligibility and benefit amount, then mails an ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letter in August 2026 telling you what you qualify for.1New Jersey Division of Taxation. Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)
Watch your mail in August. If the letter is accurate, you’re done. If it contains an error, or if you’re told your information couldn’t be auto-filed, you’ll need to submit an application before the November 2, 2026 deadline.2NJ.gov. ANCHOR Filing Information
You still need to have owned or rented your principal New Jersey residence on October 1, 2025, and meet the income limits: $250,000 or less for homeowners, $150,000 or less for renters. New Jersey gross income is the figure from Line 29 of your NJ-1040; Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits don’t count toward it.3NJ.gov. Frequently Asked Questions4NJ Division of Taxation. ANCHOR Program Homeowners Line-By-Line Filing Instructions
If You’re 65 or Older or Receive Disability Benefits
Seniors and Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability recipients are not auto-filed. You have to apply, and you use the PAS-1 rather than the standard ANC-1.1New Jersey Division of Taxation. Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)
The PAS-1 is a single combined application that covers ANCHOR, the Property Tax Reimbursement (Senior Freeze), and Stay NJ. You submit one form and the Division sorts out which of the three benefits you qualify for. Even if you only expect ANCHOR, you still file the PAS-1.5NJ.gov. 2025 PAS-1 Application Instructions
Expect to gather more paperwork than a standard ANCHOR filing. Homeowners need property information from both their 2024 and 2025 tax bills (county/municipality code, block, lot, and taxes paid), plus New Jersey gross income from Line 29 of the NJ-1040 for both years.6NJ Division of Taxation. Property Tax Relief Programs for Homeowners, Mobile Home Owners, and Renters
The Three Ways to File the Standard Application
If you’re filing an ANC-1 (under 65, not auto-filed), you can go online, mail a paper form, or use the phone system.
Online
Applications are submitted through anchor.nj.gov. The old ID/PIN login has been retired, and identity is now verified through ID.me, which may ask you to upload a photo ID and take a selfie. Once verified, you enter your information and submit.2NJ.gov. ANCHOR Filing Information
By Mail
Download the ANC-1 (or PAS-1 for seniors and disability recipients) from the Division of Taxation website. Mail the completed form to the address printed on the application itself. That address depends on the form, so don’t reuse an envelope or instructions from a prior year.
By Phone
ANCHOR applications can also be filed through an automated telephone system. When you file by phone, you can update most preprinted information except your name and property location. If you want direct deposit, enter your bank routing and account numbers when prompted. Stay on the line until you get a confirmation number; that number is your proof of filing.4NJ Division of Taxation. ANCHOR Program Homeowners Line-By-Line Filing Instructions
For general help, the ANCHOR hotline is 1-888-238-1233 or 609-826-4282.7NJ.gov. ANCHOR Application Deadline Extended to 12/6 The Division also runs in-person filing events around the state, aimed particularly at helping seniors complete the PAS-1.
What to Have in Front of You Before You Start
Whether you file online, by phone, or on paper, pull these together first:
- Your Social Security Number or ITIN, and your spouse’s or civil union partner’s if applicable.
- Your 2025 New Jersey gross income from Line 29 of the NJ-1040. Enter zero if you weren’t required to file a return.
- Homeowners: county/municipality code, block, and lot from your 2025 property tax bill.
- Renters: your landlord’s information and the rental address.
- Bank routing and account numbers if you want direct deposit.
PAS-1 filers need the same property and income details for 2024 as well, because the combined form also evaluates Senior Freeze, which looks at prior-year data.6NJ Division of Taxation. Property Tax Relief Programs for Homeowners, Mobile Home Owners, and Renters
If you and your spouse or civil union partner file separate New Jersey returns but share the same home, combine your incomes for ANCHOR purposes.4NJ Division of Taxation. ANCHOR Program Homeowners Line-By-Line Filing Instructions
Situations That Require a Paper Application
Some ownership arrangements can’t be filed online or by phone. If your home is in a trust, you can still qualify as long as you’re a beneficiary (or the deed gives you a life estate), you lived in the home as your principal residence on October 1, and the income and property tax rules are met. You must file on paper and attach a copy of the trust agreement.8NJ.gov. ANCHOR Program Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions
Owners of multi-unit properties (up to four residential units and one commercial unit) qualify for the portion they occupy as their principal residence, but must file a paper application if the occupied percentage isn’t preprinted on their form. If you own a home and rent rooms to tenants, you file as a homeowner and each tenant files separately as a renter. Properties with more than four residential units or more than one commercial unit are not eligible.8NJ.gov. ANCHOR Program Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions
Renters in subsidized housing and in buildings operating under PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements are eligible, provided the property is subject to property taxes or PILOT payments.9NJ.gov. ANCHOR Program Renters Tenants Frequently Asked Questions
After You File
Payment timing depends on how you filed. Auto-filed applicants get confirmation letters in August 2026, with payments following shortly after. In recent years, early payments have gone to seniors and disability recipients in September, with the rest issued on a rolling basis over roughly 90 days.1New Jersey Division of Taxation. Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR)
Benefits arrive by direct deposit or paper check, based on the preference you selected. The ANCHOR website has a status inquiry tool that shows whether your application is being processed, whether a benefit has been issued, or whether there’s no record of your filing. The Division may contact you if it needs clarification before releasing your benefit.
If your application is denied or the benefit amount looks wrong, the Division offers an informal protest and hearing process that resolves most disputes. If that doesn’t work, you can file a formal complaint with the Tax Court of New Jersey; the complaint must be received within 90 days of the date on the denial notice.10NJ.gov. New Jersey State Tax Appeal Process The Tax Court can be reached at (609) 292-5082, and written complaints go to the Tax Court of New Jersey, Tax Court Management Office, PO Box 972, Trenton, NJ 08625-0972.