(TRENTON) - Governor James E. McGreevey today directed the Division of Taxation to extend the due date for filing 2001 Property Tax Reimbursement Applications to June 1, 2002. The filing deadline was previously extended from the original date of March 15, 2002 to May 1, 2002.

"We want to provide our senior and disabled citizens with every opportunity to take advantage of this very important tax relief program," said McGreevey. "The extension will ensure that eligible New Jerseyans have an opportunity to take advantage of the program's benefits and receive reimbursement for property tax increases."
The Governor noted that the Property Tax Reimbursement Program is part of a $12 billion budget commitment to direct and indirect property tax relief for New Jersey citizens. Other programs include the NJ SAVER Rebates, increased homestead rebates and the Veterans' and Senior Citizen's Property Tax Deduction.

The extension is necessary because increased income limits that took effect this year mean that many seniors and disabled citizens who are eligible for the first time may not be familiar with the program.

"The extension will ensure that our residents who are most impacted by rising property taxes will receive the relief they need," McGreevey said

The Property Tax Reimbursement Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax increases. The amount of the reimbursement is the difference between the amount of property taxes due and paid in the year the applicant first becomes eligible for the program (the "base year") and the amount of property taxes due and paid for the current year, provided the amount paid for the current year is greater. Applicants must continue to meet all eligibility requirements and must file an application each year to receive the reimbursement.

To be eligible for a 2001 property tax reimbursement a first-time applicant must:

• Be age 65 or older or receiving Federal Social Security disability benefits; and

• Have lived in New Jersey continuously since before January 1, 1991, as either a homeowner or a renter, and

• Have owned and lived in the home for which the reimbursement is being claimed, or have leased the site in a mobile home park on which a manufactured or mobile home is placed, since before January 1, 1998; and

• Have annual income for 2000 that is less than $37,174 for single applicants, or $45,582 (combined income) for married couples, and annual income for 2001 that is less than $38,475 for single applicants, or $47,177 (combined income) for married couples; and

• Have paid the full amount of the property taxes (or site fees if a mobile home owner) that were due on the home for both the base year and the year for which the reimbursement is being claimed.

There are two different versions of the 2001 Property Tax Reimbursement Application. Form PTR-1 is to be used by first-time applicants and applicants who did not receive a 2000 property tax reimbursement. Form PTR-2 is a personalized application for those who applied for and received a 2000 reimbursement check.

Information about the Property Tax Reimbursement Program is available on the Division of Taxation's Web site (www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/) or by calling the Automated Tax Information System at 1-800-323-4400.

For more information, or to obtain an application, contact the Property Tax Reimbursement Hotline at 1-800-882-6597. Division representatives are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.