NJ Division of Taxation - Homestead Benefit Program

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2017 Homestead Benefit Program

2017 HOMESTEAD BENEFIT PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Because the COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to negatively impact the State economy, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury has frozen a portion of spending in order to ensure the State can meet its emergency and statutorily required obligations. Regrettably, this includes freezing funding to support the 2017 Homestead Benefit program.

As a result, any credits intended to be applied to the May 1st property tax bills can no longer be supported by the State at this time. This includes checks or direct deposit to homeowners who previously sold their home, or owners of continuing care and co-op facilities. We empathize with homeowners who depend on these credits, but these proactive steps are necessary at this time. Please continue to check Taxation's website and Treasury’s homepage for updated information.

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible if you met these requirements:

You were a New Jersey resident; and
You owned and occupied a home in New Jersey that was your principal residence on October 1, 2017*; and
Property taxes for 2017 were paid on that home; and
You met the 2017 income requirements:
- $150,000 or less for homeowners age 65 or over or blind or disabled; or
- $75,000 or less for homeowners under age 65 and not blind or disabled.

*If you were not a homeowner on October 1, 2017, you are not eligible for a Homestead Benefit, even if you owned a home for part of the year.

You are not eligible unless you are required to pay property taxes on your home.

For example, you are not eligible if you:

Are completely exempt from paying property taxes on your principal residence (such as certain totally and permanently disabled war veterans).
Made P.I.L.O.T. (Payments-in-Lieu-of-Tax) payments to your municipality. These payments are not considered property taxes for purposes of the Homestead Benefit.

You are not eligible for a benefit for a vacation home, a "second home," or a property you owned and rented to someone else. If you owned more than one property in New Jersey, only file the application for the property that was your principal residence on October 1, 2017.

Note: We do not send Homestead Benefit filing information to homeowners whose New Jersey Gross Income for the application year was more than the income limits established by the State Budget.

Tenants

Tenants will not receive rebates for 2017. The amount appropriated for property tax relief programs in the State Budget does not include funding for 2017 tenant rebates.