Per New Jersey Division of Taxation, "the deadline for homeowners to file 2009 Homestead Benefit applications has been extended to Jan. 3, 2011, to allow more people to file, Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff announced. The old deadline was Nov. 1.

Applications were mailed to homeowners in September, and many potential applicants still need time to file. Homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements and file timely applications will receive a partial credit against their property tax bill for the second quarter of 2011 for property taxes paid in 2009. New Jersey residents who owned a home that was their principal residence on Oct. 1, 2009, and paid property taxes on that home, will qualify for a Homestead Benefit, provided their 2009 New Jersey gross income was $75,000 or less, or if they are senior or disabled homeowners and their 2009 New Jersey gross income was $150,000 or less.

Homeowners who need additional information on the Homestead Benefit Program or who require assistance in filing an application may call the Division of Taxation’s Homestead Benefit Hotline at 1-888-238-1233 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Information on the Homestead Benefit Program is also available on the Division’s Web site at the following website as follows:
NJ Division of Taxation - 2009 Homestead Rebate Program - NJ Taxation and through its Automated Tax Information System at 1-800-323-4400 (Touch-Tone phones only). Text telephone service for the hearing impaired is provided at 1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300."

Homeowners who have still not filed their applications can do so online at the following website as follows:NJ Division of Taxation Home Page or by phone at 1-877-658-2972. The Internet filing application and automated telephone filing system are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Homestead Benefit Program is different from the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program. A comparison of the eligibility requirements for these two programs can be found on the Division’s Web site at:NJ Division of Taxation Home Page. Applications for the Senior Freeze (PTR) Program are due by Nov. 1.

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