If you’ve lived in New Jersey for more than a minute, you know the "homestead rebate" is basically a state pastime. We complain about property taxes, and then we scramble to make sure we’re getting our slice of the relief pie back from Trenton. But honestly, things have changed so much lately that calling it the "NJ homestead rebate" is kinda like calling a smartphone a "pager."
It’s just not the same animal anymore.
Today, the landscape is dominated by three main players: ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and the brand-new heavy hitter, Stay NJ. If you're looking for your rebate check in 2026, you aren't just looking for one program. You're looking at a coordinated system that uses a single application—the PAS-1 form—to figure out how much the state owes you.
What Happened to the Old Homestead Rebate?
The program most people remember as the "Homestead Benefit" was officially folded into the ANCHOR program (Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters) a few years back. It was a massive shift because, for the first time in a long time, renters were actually invited back to the party.
But 2026 is special.
This is the year the Stay NJ program finally goes live. If you’re a senior, this is the one you’ve been hearing about on the news. It’s designed to slash property tax bills in half for eligible homeowners, capped at a whopping $6,500.
Here’s the catch: you don’t get all three checks at full value. The state is smart. They look at your ANCHOR payout and your Senior Freeze reimbursement, and then Stay NJ kicks in to bridge the gap. Basically, you get the highest possible benefit you're entitled to, but you can’t "double dip" to the point where the state is paying you more than your actual tax bill.
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Who Actually Gets Paid in 2026?
Eligibility is a moving target, and it depends entirely on how old you were in 2024 and how much you earned. New Jersey uses a "look-back" system, so the money hitting your bank account now is usually based on where you lived and what you made two years ago.
The Homeowner Breakdown
If you owned a home on October 1, 2024, and your gross income was $250,000 or less, you’re in the running for ANCHOR.
- Under 65: You’re looking at $1,000 or $1,500 depending on if you’re under or over that $150,000 income line.
- 65 or Older: You get a $250 "senior bonus" on top of that.
The Renter Reality
Renters often think they’re excluded. They aren't. If you paid rent in a property that was subject to local property taxes, you can grab a rebate too.
- Income up to $150,000: Renters generally get $450.
- Seniors (65+): That same $250 bonus applies, bringing the total to $700.
The Stay NJ Factor
This is the new "super-rebate" for homeowners aged 65 and up. If your income is under $500,000—which covers a lot of people—the state aims to give you back 50% of what you paid in property taxes. Since the first Stay NJ payments are rolling out quarterly in February, May, August, and November of 2026, your mailbox is about to get a lot more interesting.
The PAS-1 Form: One Application to Rule Them All
Gone are the days of filing three different forms with three different deadlines. Or at least, that’s the goal. The state introduced the PAS-1 form to streamline everything.
You fill it out once.
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The Division of Taxation then runs your numbers through their system. They check if you qualify for Senior Freeze (which locks in your tax rate). They check your ANCHOR eligibility. Then they calculate Stay NJ.
If you filed your PAS-1 by the October 31, 2025 deadline, you’re already in the system. If you missed it, you’re likely waiting for the next cycle, though the state sometimes opens up "late" filing windows if you have a good excuse.
Why Your Neighbor Might Get More Than You
It feels unfair when the person next door gets a $1,750 check and you get $1,000. Usually, it comes down to the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement).
Senior Freeze is for people who have lived in their home for at least three years and have kept their income below a certain threshold (around $168,268 for the 2024 tax year). It "freezes" your taxes at a base year level. Every time your local property taxes go up, the state sends you a check for the difference.
If your neighbor has lived in their house since 1995, their "frozen" rate is tiny compared to today’s taxes. Their rebate check is going to be massive. If you just moved in, you’re still building your "base year," so your check will be smaller.
Surprising Details Most People Miss
One thing that trips people up is the ID.me requirement. If you’re filing online, New Jersey now uses ID.me to verify who you are. It’s a bit of a pain—you have to take a photo of your license and sometimes do a video selfie—but it’s there to stop people from stealing your rebate.
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Also, watch out for the "death rule." If an eligible homeowner passed away after October 1 of the qualifying year, their estate or surviving spouse can still claim the money. Don't leave that cash on the table just because of a change in family status.
Another weird one: P.I.L.O.T. payments. If you live in a complex that makes "Payments in Lieu of Taxes," you typically don't qualify for the homeowner version of ANCHOR. However, renters in those same buildings often can qualify. It’s a nuance that loses people money every year.
Check Your Status Without Losing Your Mind
If you're sitting there wondering, "Where's my money?", you don't have to just wait by the window. The NJ Division of Taxation has an automated status portal. You'll need your SSN and the exact amount of the benefit you're expecting (or your previous year's filing info).
Most ANCHOR payments for the current cycle started rolling out in late 2025 and continue through early 2026. If you applied right at the deadline in October, don't expect to see anything until late January or February.
Actionable Next Steps for Homeowners and Renters
- Locate your 2024 NJ-1040: You’ll need Line 29 (Gross Income) to verify any status updates or if you need to file an amended claim.
- Verify your "Base Year": If you’re 65+, check your Senior Freeze paperwork. If you haven't started the "freeze" yet, 2026 is the year to lock in your rate before local taxes climb again.
- Watch the Mail for the PAS-1: If you didn't auto-file, the next round of applications usually starts appearing in mailboxes in the spring.
- Update your address: If you moved after October 2024, the state might send your check to your old house. Use the Division of Taxation's "Change of Address" portal immediately.
Getting your property tax relief shouldn't feel like a part-time job, but in New Jersey, it kind of is. Stay on top of the deadlines, use the single PAS-1 application, and make sure your identity is verified through ID.me so your payment doesn't get stuck in "processing purgatory."