The Property Tax Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax increases. The amount of the reimbursement is the difference between the amount of property taxes that were due and paid for the "base year" (the first year that you met all the eligibility requirements) and the amount due and paid for the current year for which you are applying for the reimbursement, provided the amount paid for the current year was greater. You must meet all the eligibility requirements for the base year and for each succeeding year, up to and including the current year to qualify for the reimbursement. See Property Tax Reimbursement Definitions for more information.

Residents who receive homestead benefits and/or property tax credits or deductions may also receive the property tax reimbursement if they meet the eligibility requirements. However, the total of all property tax relief benefits that you receive (property tax reimbursement, homestead benefit, property tax deduction for senior citizens/disabled persons, and property tax deduction for veterans) cannot exceed the amount of property taxes (or rent/mobile home park site fees constituting property taxes) paid on your principal residence for the same year.

Under New Jersey law, if an applicant receives a property tax reimbursement that is larger than the amount for which they are eligible, the applicant will be required to repay any excess received. The amount owed can be deducted from any property tax reimbursement, income tax refund or credit, or homestead benefit before the payment is issued.

Note: Under the terms of the State Budget for FY 2013, only those applicants whose income for 2010 did not exceed $80,000 and whose income for 2011 did not exceed $70,000 (the original limit was $80,000) will be eligible to receive reimbursements for 2011 provided they met all the other program requirements. The Division of Taxation will send notices to applicants whose 2011 income was over $70,000 but not over $80,000 advising them that they are not eligible to receive reimbursement payments for 2011. Residents whose 2011 income was over $70,000 but not over $80,000 will not receive reimbursements for 2011, even if they met all the other program requirements. However, by filing a 2011 application by the due date, these residents can establish their eligibility for benefits in future years and ensure they will be mailed an application for 2012.