Ocean County seniors who are eligible for a property tax reimbursement from the state of New Jersey now have until Oct. 17 to file an application.
“On behalf of the 160,000 seniors living in Ocean County, I had strongly encouraged the state to extend the deadline, so I am pleased the state has done so,” said Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, Chairman of Senior Services. “I also encourage our seniors to apply now however and not wait until October deadline.
“This is a beneficial program for our seniors, providing some property tax relief,” he said.
In order to receive a reimbursement for the difference between the amount of property taxes paid for 2014 and 2015 you must meet the following requirements:
You (or your spouse/civil union partner) were:
- 65 or older as of December 31, 2014, or, if under age 65, you were actually receiving Federal Social Security disability benefit payments on or before December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2015;
- Have lived in New Jersey continuously since December 31, 2004, or earlier, as either a homeowner or a renter; and
- You have owned and lived in your home (or have leased a site in a mobile home park for a manufactured or mobile home that you own) since December 31, 2011, or earlier;
- Have paid the full amount of the property taxes due on the home for 2014 by June 1, 2015, and for 2015 by June 1, 2016 (if a mobile home owner, have paid the full amount of mobile home park site fees for 2014 by December 31, 2014, and for 2015 by December 31, 2015); and
- Your total annual income for 2014 did not exceed $85,553 and for 2015 did not exceed $87,007. With very few exceptions, all income received during the year must be taken into account to determine eligibility (including social security, pension income, etc.)Vicari said that first time filers can contact the Ocean County Office of Senior Services at 732-929-2091 and request an application or additional information on the program“We want to make certain all of our seniors are aware of this important program and take the time to file an application for it,” said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly. “Our senior services staff can assist with this and the many other services available.”
- He noted that seniors who have applied in the past receive a preprinted application from the state.
- Vicari said property tax reimbursement payments can be affected by the State Budget appropriation.
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