Where’s my money? Answers about NJ ANCHOR rebate

❓ Questions and answers about the NJ ANCHOR property tax rebate

🏠 The benefit has been expanded to both homeowners and renters

🔴 The deadline to apply has been extended to Feb. 28

❓ How do I check the status of an application?

You have questions, we get you the answers.

New Jersey: Asked & Answered is your chance to get the answers to some of New Jersey's most vexing questions.

Unless the deadline is extended again, you do not have much time to file for your ANCHOR property tax rebate.

You've been asking a LOT of questions about the program, how to file and how to see the status of your application.  I've updated answers to those questions below.

Keep scrolling to see answers to the most common questions you have been asking about the program.

Has the deadline been extended?

The original deadline was extended to Feb. 28, 2023. While it is possible the deadline could be extended further, it is unlikely. The Murphy administration wants to start sending out checks in late Spring. Processing the applications will take time.

I think I filed, I'm not sure. Can I check?

Yes.

The New Jersey Department of the Treasury has set up a weblink to verify the status of your application.

Click HERE to go to ANCHOR Benefit Inquiry portal to check the status of your application.

You can enter your social security number or tax identification number along with your zip code to see if the state has your application.

Will it tell me if I have been approved?

Yes.

If the data you entered is correct, the screen will display the progress of your application.
Will this tell me how much money I am receiving?

Yes.

Once you verify that your application has been received, the website instructs you to check back at a later date to determine the status and amount of your ANCHOR Benefit.
I know I filed my application, why can't I verify it?

The state says to wait two weeks before checking the status of your application. It's possible it was received, and just hasn't entered the system yet.

But I filed my application weeks ago.

It is possible you entered wrong information or did not include some of the information that was requested. It is also possible the application was lost (if you filed by mail).

Whatever the issue is, you will need to speak with someone directly to try and resolve it.

How do I speak to someone?

The ANCHOR call center will have extended hours through February 28, 2023. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until February 28, 2023.

We had earlier reports of long wait times when the call center was first launched.

I asked for direct deposit, but now I want a paper check.

According to the ANCHOR program website: If you made an error on your application when entering your direct deposit information, or prefer to receive your payment by paper check, they may be able to correct this for you. Complete the ANCHOR Program Direct Deposit Correction form and either check the "Request a Paper Check" box or provide the corrected banking information. You must include a copy of your government issued ID for us to complete your request.

Click HERE to access the form to change your direct deposit information or to request a paper check.
Beginning April 1, 2023, the state advises they will only be able to cancel direct deposit requests and issue paper checks.

Keep scrolling for more answers to your questions about the ANCHOR property tax rebate program.

Keep checking back, we are adding more of your questions and answers as they come in.

UPDATE: Questions and answers were updated on 2/16/2023, including:

🔴 How to access my ID an PIN number

🔴  How to amend bank account information

🔴  Can the ANCHOR rebate be seized for unpaid child support

What is ANCHOR?

ANCHOR stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters. It replaces the Homestead Benefit program and expands the amount of property tax relief eligible homeowners and renters can receive. It also expands the income limits to qualify.

How do I apply for an ANCHOR rebate?

The state sent mailers to homeowners in September 2022. It included instructions and forms to file by mail, or online. No additional mailings are planned. If you do not apply before the deadline, no benefits will be paid.

Who is eligible for the ANCHOR rebate?

Eligibility was expanded beyond the old Homestead Rebate program

⚫ Homeowners with income of $150,000 or less will receive $1,500

⚫ Homeowners with income of more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000

⚫ Renters with income of $150,000 or less will receive $450

Hasn't the deadline to apply for ANCHOR rebate already passed?

The original deadline to apply has passed, but Gov. Phil Murphy has extended the deadline to Feb. 28, 2023

I lost my ANCHOR rebate application with PIN number. What can I do?

You will need to go online and request your PIN. However, in order to complete the form, you will need to upload a copy of your New Jersey license or government-issued photo ID. If you do not upload a copy of a valid photo ID, the form will not be accepted and you will not get your PIN.

You can access the form HERE.

The ANCHOR rebate application asks for my gross income. What's that?  Where can I find it?

You can find your gross income on line 29 of your 2019 NJ-1040 tax return. If you were not required to file a 2019 New Jersey Income Tax return, report zero as your gross income.

If you do not have a copy of your 2019 NJ-1040 tax return, you will have to complete the "Gross Income Request Form."

Please note, you will have to upload your New Jersey license or government-issued photo ID. If you do not upload a copy of a valid photo ID, the form will not be accepted and you will not get your information.

You can access the form HERE.

How are ANCHOR rebate benefits paid?

Unlike the Homestead rebate, which was applied as a credit to your tax bill, the ANCHOR benefits are paid directly to the homeowner or renter. ANCHOR benefits will be paid through direct deposit or with a paper check.

When will I get the ANCHOR rebate money?

The state has offered no specific dates but says the money will go out in late spring of 2023. When you file has no bearing on when you will be paid.

How can I check the status of my application?

Right now, you can't.

However, the New Jersey Treasury Department says they are working on a way to check your application status. It is expected that you will be able to go to the ANCHOR website and verify your application has been received starting in mid-February.

Can all ANCHOR rebate applications be filed online?

No. There are some instances where you will need to file a paper application.

For example:

⚫ You shared ownership of your main home with someone who was not your spouse/civil union partner and your percentage of ownership is not preprinted on your worksheet.

⚫ Your main home was a unit in a multi-unit property that you owned.

⚫ You received an ANCHOR information mailer for the correct property, but the name on the mailer is not yours or needs to be changed due to marriage, death, etc.

⚫ You are a widow(er)/surviving civil union partner and your deed lists both your name and the name of your deceased spouse.

⚫ You are an executor filing on behalf of a deceased homeowner.

⚫ You occupied a newly constructed home on October 1 for which you did not receive an ANCHOR mailer with an Identification Number and PIN.

⚫ You are considered a homeowner for purposes of applying for the ANCHOR benefit, but you were not the actual owner of record on October 1.

⚫ You and your spouse/civil union partner maintained the same main home and require separate ANCHOR benefit payments.

⚫ You are filing for a property held in trust. (You are considered an eligible owner of a property owned by a trust if you are a beneficiary, or the deed or trust agreement explicitly states that you have a life estate in the property.)

Most homeowners filing paper applications will need to include supporting documentation to verify eligibility.

This is so confusing. Is there someone I can talk to?

Yes, but good luck.

There is a hotline number to call: 1-888-238-1233, but many New Jersey 101.5 listeners say they have had to wait an hour or more to get through.

With the deadline a month away, the call volume is expected to get worse.

Melinda Caliendo, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, told New Jersey 101.5 “we are aware that some taxpayers have been unable to speak with a representative from the ANCHOR hotline, and we recognize and understand their frustration.”

Caliendo says they are hiring and training more workers to deal with the massive call volume.

Can I amend my Anchor application?

Unclear.

Once you have filed your application, it may be possible to make changes, but you would have to reach someone at the ANCHOR call center. Changing addresses, bank information, and/or other data cannot currently be done on-line.
What do I do if I closed the bank account I submitted on my ANCHOR application?

You can change the bank account where you want to have you ANCHOR rebate deposited.

You can access the form to amend your bank information HERE.

NOTE: In order for the state to accept the change, you must also include a copy of your government issued photo ID with the completed form or the state will not process your request.

Also be aware that Beginning April 1, 2023 the state will only cancel direct deposit requests and issue paper checks.

Do those who are collecting Social Security need to apply?

ANCHOR benefit payments are not automatic. Anyone wishing to claim benefits must fill out an application, either on-line or by mail.

If you are a senior, you are eligible to apply for BOTH Senior Freeze and ANCHOR benefits.
So there is no more Homestead Rebate to apply to lower my May tax bill?

Correct. The Homestead Rebate program has been replaced by ANCHOR.
What happens if you enter an incorrect Gross Income number that is not exactly what was on Line 29?

If you entered incorrect information, there is a chance your application will be considered invalid and/or incomplete and will not be accepted. If you have already filed the application, you will not be able to file another one. This is an issue that will likely have to be solved by a real person.

There is a hotline number to call: 1-888-238-1233, but many New Jersey 101.5 listeners say they have had to wait an hour or more to get through.
I pay rent to my landlord. Would I get a check from the state or would my landlord get it? I never received any paperwork for this.

If you are eligible, the money would be sent directly to you. Even if you did not receive a mailer from the state, you should still fill out an application.

However, some rental properties are not eligible.

⚫ Tax-exempt housing or other residences owned by New Jersey, county, municipal, or federal government;
⚫ On-campus apartments at New Jersey colleges and universities;
⚫ Residences owned by religious, charitable, or other non-profit organizations (including on-campus apartments at private nonprofit colleges and universities); and
⚫ All other properties exempt from local property taxes.

If you are not sure whether the residence you rented was subject to local property taxes, contact your building manager or the municipal tax assessor for information.
If I filled out the form that was sent in September. Do I have to put in an application to receive the money?

The state sent filing mailers to homeowners in September 2022 that contained the application and instructions for filing. If you filled out the form correctly and sent it back, or filed a valid online application, you should receive your payment in early Spring.
My question was concerning the Senior tax freeze rebate. Will we be receiving the form soon?

The Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) program reimburses eligible New Jersey residents who are senior citizens or disabled persons for property tax increases on their principal residence (home). Complete this questionnaire to see if you may be eligible for a 2021 Senior Freeze.
Are people on PILOT programs that own a home eligible for the ANCHOR rebate?

According to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, you may not claim an ANCHOR benefit for 2019 under the following circumstances:

⚫ Your principal residence was completely exempt from paying property taxes (such as certain totally and permanently disabled war veterans).
⚫ You 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 ANCHOR 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 main home on October 1, 2019.

How old do you have to be to file?

There is no age limit for ANCHOR benefits.
My mother died May 2, 2019. I am the executor of the estate. Am I eligible to file?

Without know the specific circumstances, you should certainly apply. However, you will need to fill out a paper application (Form ANCHOR-H).

According to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, paper applications need to be filed if:

⚫ You shared ownership of your main home with someone who was not your spouse/civil union partner and your percentage of ownership is not preprinted on your worksheet.
⚫ Your main home was a unit in a multi-unit property that you owned.
⚫ You received an ANCHOR information mailer for the correct property, but the name on the mailer is not yours or needs to be changed due to marriage, death, etc.
⚫ You are a widow(er)/surviving civil union partner and your deed lists both your name and the name of your deceased spouse.
⚫ You are an executor filing on behalf of a deceased homeowner.

Is it per renter in a rented place or one per house or apartment?

ANCHOR benefits are paid to each renter in a qualified unit, apartment, home, etc., as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

According to the New Jersey Division of Taxation, you qualify for benefits if:
⚫ You were a New Jersey resident; and
⚫ Your 2019 New Jersey gross income was not more than $150,000; and
⚫ You rented and occupied a residence in New Jersey that was your principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2019; and
⚫ Your name was on the lease or rental agreement; and
⚫ You paid rent; and
⚫ Your unit had its own separate kitchen and bath facilities, if the building consisted of multiple units; and
⚫ The rental property was subject to local property taxes

Is the ANCHOR rebate subject to seizure for unpaid child support?

Possibly.

The ANCHOR rebate replaced the Homestead rebate program, which was subject to seizure if the amount of unpaid support was more than one month of the individual's support obligation.

For state tax offsets, the Division of Taxation will notify all taxpayers whose refunds or rebates are subject to offset due to past due child support. The notice will state that the taxpayer has 35 calendar days from the notice date to file an appeal in writing with the Office of Child Support and Paternity Programs.

For more information on offsets or appeals, contact your county Probation Child Support Unit or call 1-877-NJKIDS1.

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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