|  TRENTON
_ State Treasurer John E. McCormac and Division of Taxation Director
Robert K. Thompson announced today that the deadline for seniors and
disabled homeowners to file 2004 FAIR homeowner rebate applications
has been extended to
August 15.
The
deadline for filing a 2004 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement)
application has also been extended to August 15. The original due date
for both applications was June 1.
“We
are extending the filing deadline for both of these programs to ensure
that all eligible senior and disabled homeowners have ample time to
apply for much-needed property tax relief,” McCormac said.
The
FAIR rebate program was created last year by merging the NJ SAVER and
Homestead rebate programs. Under Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey’s
proposed budget for FY 2006, the FAIR Program was suspended this year
for non-senior and non-disabled residents. As a result, the April mailing
of 2004 FAIR homeowner rebate applications was limited to senior and
disabled residents. However, once the State budget for the upcoming
fiscal year is finalized and updated revenues are taken into account,
Acting Gov. Codey said additional applications may be sent out with
appropriate timelines for completion.
Homeowners
who are 65 or older or disabled and have received a FAIR rebate application
but have not yet filed can file by phone by calling 1-877-658-2972,
or they can file online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Homeowners
aged 65 or older or disabled with questions about the FAIR homeowner
rebate, or who have not received a 2004 application and believe they
are eligible, should call the FAIR Homeowner Rebate Hotline at 1-888-238-1233.
Taxation agents are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday.
Under
the Senior Freeze Program, senior citizen and disabled homeowners are
reimbursed by the State for the difference between the amount of local
property taxes paid in “the base year” (the year they became
eligible and first filed for the program) and the amount of property
taxes paid for the reimbursement year. In addition to satisfying ownership
and residency requirements, an applicant must meet income limits as
well. Income eligibility thresholds increased this year from $40,028
to $40,869 for single applicants and from $49,082 to $50,113 for married
applicants. Filers must continue to meet all eligibility requirements
and must file an application each year to receive the reimbursement.
For
more information on the 2004 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement)
Program, or to obtain an application, contact the Property Tax Reimbursement
Hotline at 1-800-882-6597 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Information about the Program is also available on the Division
of Taxation’s Web site at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/propfrez.htm.
Because
of the time needed to process both the FAIR and Senior Freeze applications,
eligible applicants who file applications for either of these benefits
after the original June 1 deadline may not receive their checks in the
initial mailings. The Senior Freeze checks are currently scheduled to
be mailed mid-July and the FAIR rebate checks are currently scheduled
to be mailed in early August. Checks for applicants who file between
June 1st and August 15 will be issued as quickly as possible.
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