The State of New Jersey offers tax relief in various forms to certain property owners.  The most common programs are as follows:

Property Tax Deductions – Senior Citizens, Veterans, and Surviving Spouses

If you are a qualified Veteran, Widow of a Veteran, Senior Citizen, Disabled Person, or Surviving Spouse, you may be eligible for deductions which reduce your property tax liability by $250.   Under certain conditions, combined deductions may be allowed (i.e.: both Veterans and Senior Citizens).  The appropriate claim form must be filed with the municipal assessor.  Veterans must have served during periods specified in state law. A senior citizen must be over 65 as of December 31 of the pre-tax year.  The claimant must be the owner and permanent resident in the dwelling and a legal resident of New Jersey. A surviving spouse must be at least 55 years old and not re-married.

For more information, visit the NJ Division of Taxation Website

Property Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans or Surviving Spouses 

Certain permanently and totally disabled war veterans or the surviving spouses (widows/widowers) of such disabled war veterans and servicepersons are granted a full property tax exemption on their dwelling house and the lot on which it is situated.

To qualify, you must be an honorably discharged veteran, who had active service in time of war in the U.S. Armed Forces, or the unmarried surviving spouse of such a disabled veteran. Surviving spouses of servicepersons who died in active service in time of war also qualify. Disability must be certified as 100% permanent and total by the United States Veterans Administration.

You must be the owner and a permanent resident in the dwelling and legal resident of New Jersey. In the case of surviving spouses, the deceased spouse must also have been a legal resident of New Jersey.

The appropriate claim form must be filed with the municipal assessor.  For more information, visit the NJ Division of Taxation Website

Tax Reimbursement for Senior Citizens

The Property Tax Reimbursement Program is designed to reimburse senior citizens age 65 and older and disabled persons for property tax increases.

To receive the reimbursement, an applicant must satisfy all eligibility requirements established by the State of New Jersey and file annually.

Note: You may not claim a reimbursement for a vacation home, a “second home” or property which you rent to someone else.

For more information, call the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline (1-800-882-6597) or visit the New Jersey Division of Taxation website. http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/