20 Feb I got my Stay NJ and ANCHOR. Do I have to apply again?

Q. I got my Stay NJ and ANCHOR. In the mail I also got a blue booklet, which is an application for next year’s (assuming there is money, which I doubt). Do we need to fill that out or do they use the application that was already done online, like a year ago?
— Taxpayer

A. Let’s first address your comment about “assuming there is money.”

The state’s property tax benefits are funded in each year’s budget, which is due July 1.

The application you received is for the 2025 tax year, which is the benefit year that would be funded in the budget.

At issue is that the state is operating at a structural deficit, which means it has to pull from its cash reserves to afford all its spending. That can’t go on forever.

But we also know that property tax breaks are popular with residents, and few politicians would want to cut them back. We’re hearing there’s been talk in Trenton about lowering the income eligibility for Stay NJ from the current $500,000 to $250,000.

It’s unclear exactly how much money that would save the state.

All that said, the state released the PAS-1 application for the property tax benefits before the funds are approved, and that’s probably a smart move because of the billions of dollars that have to be planned for.

So now that you completed PAS-1 last year, do you have to do it again now? As of now, yes, you do. While in the past many taxpayers received their ANCHOR payments automatically, the state has not indicated it will file PAS-1 applications automatically — at least not yet.

Indeed, the state’s website says: “We will not automatically file the Property Tax Relief Application, Form PAS-1, for taxpayers 65 and over, or those receiving Social Security/Railroad Retirement disability benefits. You have until November 2, 2026, to file on your own.”

You can complete the application now (or once you file your 2025 tax return) and get it over with, or you can wait — it’s not due until the fall — to see if the state decides to file on some taxpayers’ behalf.

If you prefer applying online – and we recommend you do – that’s also available now.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published in February 2026. 

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