New Jersey · Property tax exemptions for seniors · Updated Oct 2026
New Jersey property tax exemptions for seniors (2026)
Every statewide property tax break for older homeowners in New Jersey that our guide lists: extra exemptions, freezes, deferrals and age-based credits. What each is worth, the starting age, the income limit, the deadline and how to apply.
Short answer
The main property tax break for seniors in New Jersey is the Stay NJ - Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens. A quarterly state payment toward your property tax, coordinated with your ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits. 2027 maximum (for the 2025 tax year): $6,500 if income is $100,000 or less; $5,000 for $100,000.01-$150,000; $4,000 for $150,000.01-$200,000; nothing over $200,000.
A quarterly state payment toward your property tax, coordinated with your ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits. 2027 maximum (for the 2025 tax year): $6,500 if income is $100,000 or less; $5,000 for $100,000.01-$150,000; $4,000 for $150,000.01-$200,000; nothing over $200,000. The 2025-year benefit is paid in February and May 2027.
Who qualifies
Homeowners (not renters or mobile home owners) who were 65 or older during 2025 (you or your spouse), owned and lived in the home all 12 months of 2025, and whose home is subject to property tax or P.I.L.O.T.
Income limit
$200,000 total annual income (calculated as for Senior Freeze), FY2027 budget.
How to apply
File Form PAS-1 (the same application covers Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ).
The state pays you back any increase in your property tax over your 'base year' (the first year you qualified), so your net tax stays frozen.
Who qualifies
You or your spouse were 65 or older on December 31, 2025, or were receiving Social Security disability or Railroad Retirement disability benefits by that date. You have owned and lived in the home since December 31, 2022 or earlier and still did on December 31, 2025. Property must be taxed (not P.I.L.O.T.). Not for second homes, rentals or fully exempt homes.
Income limit
Total household income $168,268 or less for 2024 and $172,475 or less for 2025 (2025 application).
How to apply
File Form PAS-1 online or on paper with the NJ Division of Taxation. Include proof of property taxes paid; include your deed or life estate document if you hold a life estate.
$250 Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons
$250 off your property tax bill each year.
Who qualifies
Age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled (or blind), by December 31 of the pretax year; a New Jersey resident for at least one year before October 1; owner and resident of the home on October 1 of the pretax year. An unremarried surviving spouse aged 55 or older at the spouse's death can keep it on the same home.
Income limit
Income of no more than $10,000 for 2026, not counting (with limits) Social Security, government pensions, disability and retirement benefits (Division of Taxation, Revised 2026 Income Guidelines, N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.40 et seq.).
How to apply
File Form PTD with your municipal tax assessor or collector with proof: birth certificate or driver's license, deed, physician's certificate or Social Security disability document, death and marriage certificates for surviving spouses.
First claim: file Form PTD with the assessor between October 1 and December 31 of the year before (for 2026: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025), or with the tax collector any time during the tax year (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026). To keep it, file Form PD5 with the tax collector by March 1 of the next year (by March 1, 2027 to confirm 2026 income). Denials: appeal to the county board of taxation by April 1.
File Form PTD with your municipal tax assessor or collector with proof: birth certificate or driver's license, deed, physician's certificate or Social Security disability document, death and marriage certificates for surviving spouses.
Deadline: First claim: file Form PTD with the assessor between October 1 and December 31 of the year before (for 2026: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025), or with the tax collector any time during the tax year (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026). To keep it, file Form PD5 with the tax collector by March 1 of the next year (by March 1, 2027 to confirm 2026 income). Denials: appeal to the county board of taxation by April 1.
Renewal: Every year (Form PD5 by March 1).
Savings estimate for New Jersey
None of these breaks is one fixed dollar amount taken off your home's value, so we can't estimate the savings here. What each one is worth is on its card above.
Eligibility finder for New Jersey
Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Pre-set for seniors: you own and live in the home, age 65. Change any answer to your own.
Document checklist for New Jersey
Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.
Questions about seniors property tax breaks in New Jersey
Who qualifies for property tax breaks for seniors in New Jersey?
Stay NJ - Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: Homeowners (not renters or mobile home owners) who were 65 or older during 2025 (you or your spouse), owned and lived in the home all 12 months of 2025, and whose home is subject to property tax or P.I.L.O.T. Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): You or your spouse were 65 or older on December 31, 2025, or were receiving Social Security disability or Railroad Retirement disability benefits by that date. You have owned and lived in the home since December 31, 2022 or earlier and still did on December 31, 2025. $250 Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons: Age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled (or blind), by December 31 of the pretax year; a New Jersey resident for at least one year before October 1; owner and resident of the home on October 1 of the pretax year. An unremarried surviving spouse aged 55 or older at the spouse's death can keep it on the same home.
Is there an income limit for seniors' property tax breaks in New Jersey?
Stay NJ - Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: $200,000 total annual income (calculated as for Senior Freeze), FY2027 budget. Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): Total household income $168,268 or less for 2024 and $172,475 or less for 2025 (2025 application). $250 Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons: Income of no more than $10,000 for 2026, not counting (with limits) Social Security, government pensions, disability and retirement benefits (Division of Taxation, Revised 2026 Income Guidelines, N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.40 et seq.).
When is the deadline for seniors to apply in New Jersey?
Stay NJ - Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: November 2, 2026 for the 2025 PAS-1. Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): November 2, 2026 for the 2025 application. $250 Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons: First claim: file Form PTD with the assessor between October 1 and December 31 of the year before (for 2026: Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025), or with the tax collector any time during the tax year (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026). To keep it, file Form PD5 with the tax collector by March 1 of the next year (by March 1, 2027 to confirm 2026 income). Denials: appeal to the county board of taxation by April 1.
Do seniors have to reapply every year in New Jersey?
Stay NJ - Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: Every year. Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement): Every year. If you go over the income limit once, you may keep your base year one time. $250 Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons: Every year (Form PD5 by March 1).
Where do seniors apply for property tax breaks in New Jersey?
Your municipal tax assessor (or tax collector) handles the $250 senior/disabled and veteran deductions and the 100% disabled veteran exemption. The state Division of Taxation runs ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ, which you claim on one state application (Form PAS-1 for seniors and disability recipients). For the Stay NJ - Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: File Form PAS-1 (the same application covers Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and Stay NJ).