Office of the State Treasurer

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tom Vincz    
August 1, 2006
(609) 633-6565

HOMESTEAD REBATE AND SENIOR FREEZE FILING DEADLINE EXTENDED
FIRST ROUND OF REBATE CHECKS TO BE MAILED AUGUST 7

 TRENTON -- State Treasurer Bradley Abelow announced today that the deadline for filing all 2005 rebate and Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) applications has been extended until October 31, 2006.

"It is important to ensure that all eligible taxpayers have every opportunity to apply for much- needed property tax relief ,'' said Treasurer Abelow. "With the August 15 deadline quickly approaching, many potential applicants may still need time to file. This extension will help to ensure that everyone gets the chance to participate," he said.

The application deadline for those who have not yet filed has been extended for both senior and non senior homeowners and tenants.

The Division of Taxation also announced today that it will begin mailing almost 1.2 million Homestead Rebate checks on August 7.

Eligible senior and disabled homeowners who filed their applications by June 1, as well as all eligible tenants, whether they are age 65 or disabled or not, can expect to receive their 2005 Homestead (FAIR) rebate checks during the week of August 7. Approximately 430,000 homeowners who were 65 or older or disabled as of December 31, 2005, will receive rebate checks ranging from $500 to $1,200, while about 85,000 senior or disabled tenants will receive rebates of $150 to $825. About 670,000 non-senior, non-disabled tenants will receive rebate checks of $75. Additional rebate checks will be mailed out as soon as possible for senior, disabled and tenant filers submitting applications between June 1 and August 15. While this program has historically been administered through a check mailing, the Division of Taxation is working to fulfill Governor Corzine's proposal to convert the rebates to a direct credit on the property tax bill.

Rebate checks for eligible non-senior, non-disabled homeowners who file their applications by the original deadline of August 15 are scheduled to be mailed in the fall. Checks for applications filed between August 16 and the extended filing deadline of October 31, 2006, will be issued as quickly as possible, but may not be included in the initial fall distribution.

For information about the Homestead (FAIR) rebate program, residents may call 1-888-238-1233. Homeowners who still have not filed their rebate applications can do so by phone (1-877-658-2972) or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ . The automated telephone filing system and Internet filing application are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The filing deadline is August 15, 2006.

Homeowners and tenants can check the status of their rebate check by calling 1-877-658-2972, or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/fair/fairintro.htm . Rebate check information for homeowners who are under 65 and not disabled will not be available either online or by phone until the fall.

Information about the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program is available by calling 1-800-882-6597. Information regarding all state property tax relief programs may be found at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/relief.htm.

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