Homeowners and renters in Livingston, Millburn and Short Hills have until Monday, Nov. 2, to apply for New Jersey's ANCHOR and Senior Freeze property tax relief programs.

Livingston Township posted the deadline on its official X account, directing residents to the state Division of Taxation's website.


ANCHOR: who qualifies

ANCHOR, which stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters, provides a tax-free benefit of $450 to $1,500, according to the state Division of Taxation. There is no age requirement.

Homeowners who earned $250,000 or less in 2025 gross income and owned their principal residence on Oct. 1, 2025, are eligible. Renters who earned $150,000 or less and had their name on a lease for a property subject to local property taxes also qualify.

The benefit amount depends on income and age. Homeowners earning $150,000 or less receive $1,500. Those earning between $150,001 and $250,000 receive $1,000. Renters 64 or younger receive $450, while renters 65 or older receive $700.

The state automatically filed applications for most homeowners under 65 and most renters, according to the Division of Taxation's relief page. The Division sent those residents a Benefit Confirmation Letter on Aug. 10. Anyone who did not receive that letter must file on their own by the deadline.

Seniors must file themselves

Residents 65 and older and those collecting Social Security disability or Railroad Retirement disability benefits must file the PAS-1 combined application. The state will not automatically file on their behalf.

The PAS-1 covers three programs at once: ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ, as NorthJersey.com reported. Seniors do not need to file separate applications for each.

Senior Freeze reimburses eligible homeowners for property tax increases. To qualify, applicants or their spouses must have been at least 65 by Dec. 31, 2025, owned and lived in their home since at least Dec. 31, 2022, and remained there through Dec. 31, 2025. Total annual income could not exceed $168,268 in 2024 and $172,475 in 2025, according to Patch.

How to apply

The online application requires identity verification through ID.me. Applicants should have a driver's license, state ID, passport card or passport ready, according to the Division of Taxation. Additional documentation may be required.

Payments began rolling out Sept. 15 and arrive within about 90 days of filing. Paper filers can receive only a paper check. Online filers can choose direct deposit.

Nearly 400,000 renters and homeowners had already received more than $520 million in ANCHOR payments as of late September, Patch reported. Roughly $2 billion has been set aside for ANCHOR payments statewide.

In-person help nearby

The state is hosting property tax relief filing events in Essex County before the deadline. An event at 650 Pleasant Valley Way in Essex County, hosted by Sen. McKeon's office, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, according to the Division of Taxation's events page. A government photo ID is required for homeowners and renters under 65.

Applications can be submitted through the state Division of Taxation's online portal.