New Jersey’s ANCHOR Program

The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Program is designed to offer property tax relief to both homeowners and renters residing in the state of New Jersey. To be eligible for the ANCHOR benefit, individuals or families must maintain their principal residence within New Jersey and adhere to specific income criteria.

The filing deadline for the 2023 ANCHOR Program was December 29, 2023. For further information or to check the status of your benefit if you filed, visit the ANCHOR website. General information about the program is below.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements differ based on applicant’s status, whether as homeowners or renters. More detailed information about income guidelines, eligible properties, benefit calculation methods, and general information for homeowners and renters, please visit the program’s official ANCHOR website.

Requirements for Homeowners

• You were a New Jersey resident who owned and occupied a home in New Jersey that was your principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2020
• 2020 property taxes were paid on that home
• 2020 New Jersey gross income was not more than $250,000

Requirements for Renters

• You were a New Jersey resident
• 2020 New Jersey gross income was not more than $150,000
• Your name was on the lease or rental agreement
• You paid rent
• You rented and occupied a residence in New Jersey that was your principal residence (main home) on October 1, 2020
• The rental property was subject to local property taxes

How to Apply for ANCHOR

There are several options available to applying for ANCHOR benefits. If you received a green or purple filing packet sent to your principal residence by the Division of Taxation, please adhere to the provided instructions to apply for your benefit. In cases where you did not receive a filing packet but meet the program's eligibility criteria, you may still submit an application.

FOR HOMEOWNERS

Online and Via Phone

Homeowners have the option to submit an application for ANCHOR either electronically or by phone, using a designated identification number (ID) and personal identification number (PIN).

For online applications or assistance in retrieving your homeowner ID and PIN, please access the official ANCHOR website.

To apply via phone, contact the homeowner’s application number at 1-877-658-2972.

Mail-In

In the event that a homeowner purchased their property in 2020, made alterations to their deed, or experienced specific life events such as divorce or the loss of a spouse, they are required to submit an application via mail. A printable paper application for homeowners is available for download on the official ANCHOR website.

To access and obtain the paper application for homeowners, please visit the official ANCHOR website.

FOR RENTERS

Online

Renters may apply for ANCHOR benefits online. They do not need an ID or PIN. For online applications, visit the official ANCHOR website.

What You Need to File Online

If you are applying online, you should have:

• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and, if applicable, your spouse or civil union partner.
• New Jersey gross income from Line 29 of your 2020 or 2022 NJ Income Tax Return (NJ-1040), report "0" if not required to file.
• Date of birth for yourself and, if applicable, your spouse or civil union partner.

Keep copies of your confirmation letter or number after submitting your application.

For questions or assistance, contact the ANCHOR Hotline at 609-826-4282 or 1-888-238-1233.

This information last reviewed: Jan 2, 2024