TRENTON — Governor
James E. McGreevey and Division of Taxation Director Robert K. Thompson
announced today that they have extended the due date for filing the
2003 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Applications to September
8, 2004.
“
We were able to re-open the program to so that all eligible senior and
disabled applicants could receive their senior property tax freeze benefit
this year,” said Governor McGreevey. “Taxpayers have responded
by submitting thousands of applications and requesting thousands more
through phone calls, e-mails and letters to the Division of Taxation.
Extending the deadline for another month helps to ensure that everyone
who qualifies for this valuable property tax relief program gets the
time and the chance to apply,” he said.
On July 15, the State mailed 81,000 PTR/Senior Freeze checks averaging
$415 to applicants who filed before the original deadline of June 1.
Applications received after the June 1 deadline will be processed and
paid as quickly as possible. To date, the Division of Taxation has received
close to 150,000 applications.
State Treasurer John E. McCormac said that under the Senior Freeze, which
is formally known as the Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) Program, eligible
senior citizens and disabled persons are reimbursed for the difference
between the amount of local property taxes paid in their “base
year” (the year they became eligible and first filed for the program)
and the amount of property taxes paid for the reimbursement year. Because
the calculation of the reimbursement involves 2 separate years, an applicant
must satisfy the eligibility requirements for both years in order to
receive the reimbursement. To be eligible for the 2003 reimbursement,
a first-time applicant must meet certain residency requirements and must
have 2002 income of less than $39,475 ($48,404 for married couples) and
2003 income of less than $40,028 ($49,082 for married couples). When
determining eligibility, an applicant must include all income received
during the calendar year, including social security benefits and all
pension income.
For more information, or to obtain an application, contact the Property
Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-877-225-1312. Information about the Program
is also available on the Division of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm.
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