Senior Property Tax Freeze Restored

Source: AARP.org | June 9, 2004

On May 19, a major victory on the property tax front was celebrated. Governor McGreevey, via the state treasurer, announced at the Senate Budget Committee Hearing that the Senior Property Tax Freeze will be fully restored so that all eligible seniors will now be welcome to join this critical property tax relief program.

AARP New Jersey has fought for, and will continue to fight for, property tax relief and reform.

For a year AARP has advocated for full restoration of the Senior Property Tax Freeze. This program was put on hold last year—people who enrolled in the program did not get their appropriate rebates and new people were not allowed in.

The governor's new proposal will fully restore the program to current enrollees and new applicants.

While short-term relief programs, such as the Senior Property Tax Freeze, are helpful, AARP believes that our members need fundamental reforms without delay. New Jersey has the highest per capital property taxes in the nation.

Property taxes have gone up 52% over the past decade and more than 14% in the last two years. Seniors in New Jersey who are on fixed incomes are being forced out of their homes, even if they've paid off their mortgage, because of rising property taxes.

AARP New Jersey is now engaged in a campaign to bring real property tax relief and reform. Although the Senior Property Tax Freeze will provide some important short-term relief, this measure does not adequately address the need for major reforms to the property tax problems in this state.

AARP is calling for the Legislature to meet in a special session this summer to adopt major reforms to the property tax system through constitutional amendments. The New Jersey Legislature needs to deal with the cost side as well as the revenue side of the equation and approve real property tax relief and reform. A special session of the Legislature this summer can lead to significant reforms by November of this year.

Although AARP appreciates Governor McGreevey for making the full restoration of the Senior Property Tax Freeze a reality, AARP recognizes that relief programs cannot take the place of long-term reform. AARP continues to urge the governor and the Legislature to enact real improvements to the property tax system in New Jersey.

To be eligible for the 2003 Property Tax Reimbursement Program (also known as the Senior Property Tax Freeze Program):

• You must have been 65 or disabled as of December 31, 2002
• You must have lived in New Jersey for at least the last 10 years and have owned and lived in your current home for at least the last three years Your total 2002 income must be no more than $39,475 for an individual or $48,404 for married couples
• Your total 2003 income must be no more than $40,028 for an individual or $49,082 for married couples

You must sign up by August 2 in order to receive your check this year. Call the state's Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-882-6587 to have a Property Tax Reimbursement application booklet mailed to you. If you qualify, your base year will be set at 2002. Any increases in property taxes that you experienced in 2003 will be reimbursed to you. Sign up today—time is running out!