2008 Homestead Rebate Information for Tenants Age 65 or Older and/or Disabled on December 31, 2008
Eligibility
If you were age 65 or older and/or disabled on December 31, 2008, you are eligible for a 2008 New Jersey tenant homestead rebate if you are domiciled (you have your permanent legal residence) in New Jersey and you meet the following conditions:
If you were age 65 or older and/or disabled on December 31, 2008, you are eligible for a 2008 New Jersey tenant homestead rebate if you are domiciled (you have your permanent legal residence) in New Jersey and you meet the following conditions:
- You rented and occupied a dwelling in New Jersey that was your principal residence on October 1, 2008; and
- Your principal residence is subject to local property taxes, and property taxes are paid on that residence through rent; and
- Your principal residence is a full living unit with its own separate kitchen and bathroom; and
- Your New Jersey gross income for 2008 was $100,000 or less.
Note: If you own or rent a mobile home which is located in a mobile home park, you are considered a tenant for purposes of applying for the rebate.
New Jersey residents are not eligible for tenant homestead rebates if no property taxes are paid on their dwellings. This includes:
New Jersey residents are not eligible for tenant homestead rebates if no property taxes are paid on their dwellings. This includes:
- Tenants living in dwellings owned by the State, County, Municipal, or Federal Government.
- Students living in on-campus apartments at State colleges and universities.
- Tenants living in dwellings owned by a religious, charitable, or other nonprofit organization (including on-campus apartments at private, nonprofit colleges and universities), if the property is exempt from property taxes.
- Tenants living in dwellings on which P.I.L.O.T. (Payments-in-Lieu-of-Tax) payments are made to the municipality. These payments are not considered property taxes for purposes of the homestead rebate.
When to File
- If you are required to file a 2008 New Jersey income tax return, you must complete your tenant homestead rebate application and file it at the same time you file your New Jersey income tax return (April 15, 2009) unless the deadline is extended. You must file your rebate application with your State income tax return on or before the extended due date.
- If you have already filed your 2008 New Jersey income tax return but did not complete the tenant rebate application even though you are eligible, you have until November 2, 2009, to file the tenant homestead rebate application, Form TR-1040.
- If you are required to file a 2008 New Jersey income tax return, you must complete your tenant homestead rebate application and file it at the same time you file your New Jersey income tax return (April 15, 2009) unless the deadline is extended. You must file your rebate application with your State income tax return on or before the extended due date.
- If you have already filed your 2008 New Jersey income tax return but did not complete the tenant rebate application even though you are eligible, you have until November 2, 2009, to file the tenant homestead rebate application, Form TR-1040.
- If you are not required to file a 2008 New Jersey income tax return because your income is below the minimum filing threshold, you have until November 2, 2009, to file your 2008 tenant homestead rebate application, Form TR-1040.
How to File
Complete and file a paper Form TR-1040 (TR-1040 instructions) with your Form NJ-1040. (If you are not required to file a return, you may file only Form TR-1040 to apply for the rebate.) Otherwise, complete and file your tenant homestead rebate application and tax return (or rebate application only) electronically using NJ WebFile or approved tax preparation software.
Rebate Amount
The Division of Taxation calculates the amount of the rebate based on the information provided in the application. The rebate amount is determined by income, filing status, and whether the applicant was age 65 or older or eligible to claim an exemption as blind or disabled for tax year 2008.
Benefits under the Homestead Rebate Program are in addition to the State’s other property tax relief programs. However, beginning this year with benefits paid for 2008, the total amount of all property tax relief benefits received (homestead rebate, property tax reimbursement, property tax deduction for senior citizens/disabled persons, and property tax deduction for veterans) cannot exceed the amount of property taxes (or rent constituting property taxes) paid on the applicant’s principal residence for the same year.
Complete and file a paper Form TR-1040 (TR-1040 instructions) with your Form NJ-1040. (If you are not required to file a return, you may file only Form TR-1040 to apply for the rebate.) Otherwise, complete and file your tenant homestead rebate application and tax return (or rebate application only) electronically using NJ WebFile or approved tax preparation software.
Rebate Amount
The Division of Taxation calculates the amount of the rebate based on the information provided in the application. The rebate amount is determined by income, filing status, and whether the applicant was age 65 or older or eligible to claim an exemption as blind or disabled for tax year 2008.
Benefits under the Homestead Rebate Program are in addition to the State’s other property tax relief programs. However, beginning this year with benefits paid for 2008, the total amount of all property tax relief benefits received (homestead rebate, property tax reimbursement, property tax deduction for senior citizens/disabled persons, and property tax deduction for veterans) cannot exceed the amount of property taxes (or rent constituting property taxes) paid on the applicant’s principal residence for the same year.
Send an e-mail about your Tenant Homestead Rebate
Information for Tenants Under Age 65 and NOT Disabled
Treasury: