Property taxes are a real concern for homeowners throughout South Jersey. Whether you live in Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Haddon Township, or another nearby community, it is worth taking a few minutes to see whether you may qualify for New Jersey property tax relief.

New Jersey currently offers several programs that may help eligible homeowners, seniors, disabled residents, and renters. The programs can be confusing, especially because eligibility depends on age, income, residency, homeownership, and the year you are applying for.

The good news is that the State of New Jersey has made it easier for many residents to apply and determine which benefits they may qualify for.

The 2026 New Jersey Property Tax Relief Deadline

For the current filing season, the deadline to apply for 2025 property tax relief benefits is November 2, 2026.

The state uses information from your 2025 New Jersey income tax return, along with your residency and property information, to determine eligibility. Residents age 65 and older, as well as certain residents receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits, may need information from both their 2024 and 2025 tax records.

Before you put this on the bottom of your to do list, take a look at the three programs below.

1. ANCHOR: Property Tax Relief for Eligible New Jersey Homeowners and Renters

ANCHOR stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters. It is designed to provide property tax relief for qualifying New Jersey residents who owned or rented their main home in 2025.

For homeowners under age 65, the current benefit amounts are:

• $1,500 for homeowners with 2025 New Jersey gross income of $150,000 or less

• $1,000 for homeowners with 2025 New Jersey gross income between $150,001 and $250,000

For homeowners age 65 and older, the current benefit amounts are:

• $1,750 for homeowners with 2025 New Jersey gross income of $150,000 or less

• $1,250 for homeowners with 2025 New Jersey gross income between $150,001 and $250,000

Homeowners with income above $250,000 are not eligible for the 2025 ANCHOR benefit. ANCHOR payments are scheduled to begin September 15, 2026, and most qualifying applicants receive payment within about 90 days of filing, unless more information is needed.

Renters may also qualify for an ANCHOR benefit. For 2025, eligible renters may receive $450 if they were under 65, or $700 if they were 65 or older.

2. Senior Freeze: Help for Longtime South Jersey Homeowners

The Senior Freeze program, also called the Property Tax Reimbursement program, may help eligible seniors and disabled residents manage increases in property taxes on their primary home.

For the 2025 application year, applicants generally must be age 65 or older by December 31, 2025, or have received qualifying Social Security or Railroad Retirement disability benefits by that date. They must also have owned and lived in their home since December 31, 2022, or earlier, and still owned and lived in the home on December 31, 2025.

The income limits are important. For the 2025 filing year, combined income must generally be:

• $168,268 or less for 2024

• $172,475 or less for 2025

The Senior Freeze program is intended to reimburse eligible residents for increases in property taxes on their primary residence. It does not apply to vacation homes, second homes, or homes rented to someone else.

For many longtime homeowners in South Jersey, especially those who have lived in the same house for decades, this program is worth checking carefully.

3. Stay NJ: New Property Tax Relief for Seniors

Stay NJ is a newer program for eligible homeowners age 65 and older. It is designed to reimburse qualifying homeowners for 50 percent of their property tax bill, up to a maximum benefit.

For the 2025 benefit year, the maximum Stay NJ benefit is $6,500. To qualify, an applicant must generally be age 65 or older, have owned and lived in the home for all of 2025, and have income below $500,000. Mobile homeowners are not eligible for Stay NJ.

One important detail is that Stay NJ is calculated after ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits are determined. The total amount of property tax relief you receive cannot exceed the property taxes paid on your primary residence for the same year.

The state has said eligible Stay NJ benefits are issued separately in quarterly installments rather than one large payment.

You May Qualify for More Than One Program

This is where many people get confused.

A qualifying South Jersey homeowner age 65 or older may be eligible for ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ. The state will use the application information to determine which benefits apply. Residents under age 65 who are not receiving qualifying disability benefits may only qualify for ANCHOR.

For seniors and eligible disabled residents, New Jersey uses the PAS 1 application to review eligibility for all three programs.

What You May Need Before Applying

Gathering your paperwork first can make the process much easier. Depending on your situation, you may need:

• Your 2025 New Jersey income tax return

• Your 2024 New Jersey income tax return, if applying for Senior Freeze or Stay NJ

• Your property tax bill or property details from your local tax collector

• Your county, municipality, block, lot, and qualifier information

• A driver’s license, state ID, passport card, or passport for online identity verification

The New Jersey Division of Taxation also warns residents not to click links or share personal information through unsolicited property tax relief texts or emails. Use the official state website or contact the Division of Taxation directly when in doubt.

Local Filing Help Is Available in South Jersey

For anyone who prefers in person assistance, New Jersey has scheduled property tax relief filing events throughout South Jersey.

Upcoming events include:

• Mount Laurel Township on August 4, 2026

• Maple Shade Township on August 5, 2026

• Voorhees Township on August 13, 2026

• Cherry Hill at the Carmen Tilelli Community Center on September 16, 2026

• Berlin Township Municipal Hall on September 16, 2026

• Runnemede on September 24, 2026

• Medford Leas Community Center on October 6, 2026

• Lindenwold Senior Citizen Community Center on October 8, 2026

• Delran Municipal Building on October 13, 2026

Dates, locations, and times can change, so check the official New Jersey property tax relief event list before going.

Property Taxes Can Affect Your Next Move

As a South Jersey Realtor with 31 years of experience, I know property taxes are often part of a much larger conversation.

Sometimes a homeowner wants to stay in the home they love and simply needs to know what financial resources may be available. Other times, rising property taxes, upkeep, stairs, unused bedrooms, or the desire to be closer to family may lead someone to consider downsizing or selling.

Before making a major decision, it helps to understand the full picture:

• What is your home worth today?

• What would you likely net after selling?

• Would property tax relief make it more affordable to stay?

• Would downsizing give you more financial flexibility?

• What homes, condos, townhomes, or 55 plus communities may fit your next chapter?

There is no one right answer for every homeowner. The right plan depends on your home, your finances, your family, and what you want life to look like next.

Thinking About Selling Your South Jersey Home?

Whether you are considering selling soon, downsizing in the next year or two, helping a parent make a move, or simply curious about your home’s value, I would be happy to help.

I have spent 31 years helping South Jersey homeowners in Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Maple Shade, Merchantville, Haddon Township, and surrounding communities sell with a smart plan, strong negotiation, and personal attention from start to finish.

Contact Michaela Hartery for a confidential conversation about your home, your options, and what makes the most sense for you. And please share this article with a parent, friend, neighbor, or past coworker who may benefit from learning about New Jersey property tax relief.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Eligibility rules, income limits, benefit amounts, and payment schedules may change. Please confirm your individual eligibility through the New Jersey Division of Taxation or a qualified tax professional.