Message from Councilman Roshan (Roc) White | August 1, 2025

I would like to praise state lawmakers who ensured New Jersey’s newly-adopted budget includes three key state programs designed to save tax money for both homeowners and renters.

Scotch Plains is pleased to join in the promotion of the state’s Senior Freeze, ANCHOR and new Stay NJ initiative. It is important that township residents know about every tax-saving program offered, designed to make our community a more affordable place to live.

Below are important highlights of the three programs.  Please note that fellow residents who were 65 and older, or recipients of Social Security Disability, during Tax Year 2024 can file for all three programs with one form. The deadline is Oct. 31, 2025.

Below is a summary on each:

Senior Freeze:

Senior Freeze is a popular state program that reimburses qualified senior citizens and residents with disabilities for property tax increases or mobile home park site fees on primary residences. Vacation or second homes are not eligible.

Here is how it works: Senior Freeze establishes a “base year” in the first year that a resident is eligible. Property taxes are then “frozen” as that resident is reimbursed for subsequent annual increases in property tax bills. For many Scotch Plains residents, this program ensures they can retire here in comfort. 

To be eligible this year, residents must be age 65 or older on Dec. 31, 2023 or receiving federal Social Security disability benefit payments on or before Dec. 31, 2023.

There are also income requirements: $163,050 or less in 2023 and $168,268 or less in 2024. Click here to learn more.

ANCHOR:

The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) property tax relief program was started in 2022 to update and expand the state’s former Homestead Benefit program. Homeowners and renters who meet income and residency requirements are eligible for property tax relief payments ranging from $450 to $1,750.

The state’s “filing season” begins this month. New Jersey files on behalf of most eligible residents and will begin sending those residents their Anchor Benefit Confirmation Letter on August 13, with details of the upcoming filing. If you do not receive an Anchor Benefit Confirmation Letter, you can file an ANCHOR application. Click here to learn more. 

Stay NJ:

The new Stay NJ program promises to be impactful for senior homeowners who want to retire in New Jersey. The program will offer homeowners 65 and over tax credits to make up for half of their property tax bills, capped at $6,500.

Also, unlike the Senior Freeze program, there is no limit on how long you need to reside in your home so the program allows seniors to down-size and still receive the benefit. 

Here's what you need to know about Stay NJ:  You must have owned and lived in your home for the full 12 months of 2024 and have an income below $500,000. Stay NJ benefits are calculated after ANCHOR and Senior Freeze benefits are determined. Payments are expected to be issued in early 2026.

You can learn the latest about the Stay NJ roll-out here.

I would like to underscore my appreciation to our state leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, for developing tax-saving programs that help many people in our township. All three of these state programs ensure residents can continue to live here for as long as they choose, not saddled by increasing property taxes.

I urge you to take the time to learn more about these programs; all eligible residents need to take full advantage. To learn more about the state’s property tax relief efforts, please see the NJ Treasury Property Tax Relief page.