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How to Apply for the Senior Freeze in 2026

Apply for the NJ Senior Freeze on Form PAS-1 — online or on paper — by November 2, 2026. Steps, first-time filer documents, and how your base year is established.

By NJ Programs Editorial TeamUpdated 6 min read

Quick answer

How do I apply for the Senior Freeze?

File Form PAS-1 — the combined application that also covers ANCHOR and Stay NJ — either online at propertytaxrelief.nj.gov or on paper mailed to PO Box 635, Trenton NJ 08646-0635, by November 2, 2026. There is no separate Senior Freeze form anymore, and the state does not auto-file for you.

Key takeaways

  • The old PTR-1/PTR-2 forms are gone — the Senior Freeze now rides on the combined PAS-1, one filing for all three programs.
  • Deadline: November 2, 2026 for the 2025 benefit year. No one files this for you automatically.
  • File online for instant confirmation, faster processing, and the direct deposit option.
  • First-time filers: keep your base-year tax bills — that’s the document the state most often asks to verify.
  • Filing earlier puts you in an earlier payment wave (up to five months sooner).
On this page

Before you start: what to have ready

  • Property tax recordsfor 2024 and 2025 — your bills or your town’s online tax lookup totals.
  • Income records for both years: NJ-1040 returns if you file them, SSA-1099 forms (Social Security), 1099-Rs (pensions/IRAs), and interest/dividend statements. Remember the Senior Freeze counts nearly all income.
  • First-time filers: your base-yearproperty tax amount, plus your deed (or trust agreement) if ownership isn’t straightforward, and proof of your Social Security disability award if you qualify by disability rather than age.
  • For direct deposit: your bank routing and account numbers.

Want this as a personalized list? The PAS-1 checklist tool builds one from three quick questions.

Filing online (recommended)

  1. Go to the official portal

    Open propertytaxrelief.nj.gov — the Division of Taxation’s combined property tax relief filing site. Type the address yourself; ignore links in unsolicited texts or emails.

  2. Verify your identity

    The portal uses ID.me. Have a driver’s license, state ID, or passport ready; the first-time setup takes about 10–15 minutes, and returning users sign straight in.

  3. Complete the PAS-1 sections

    The application walks through residency, ownership, income for 2024 and 2025, and program-specific questions. You can save a partial application and finish another day. You don’t pick programs — the Division determines every program you qualify for from one filing.

  4. Choose direct deposit and submit

    Enter bank details for direct deposit (strongly recommended — weeks faster than checks), submit, and save your confirmation number. That number is your proof of timely filing and your fastest route through phone support.

Filing on paper

Download the 2025 PAS-1 from the Division’s property tax relief page or request one by phone. Homeowners mail the completed form to:

NJ Division of Taxation — Revenue Processing Center
PO Box 635
Trenton, NJ 08646-0635

Use certified mail or get a proof-of-mailing receipt near the deadline. Paper filings can’t enroll in direct deposit and typically process slower — the trade-offs are laid out in paper vs. online. Free in-person help is available at Division regional information centers if the form is overwhelming.

First-time filers: establishing your base year

Your first application sets your base year — the reference amount every future reimbursement is measured against. Expect the Division to verify it, which can mean a letter requesting:

  • Property tax bills or payment records for the base year and current year
  • Proof of age (driver’s license, birth certificate) or your Social Security disability award letter
  • Your deed, or the trust agreement if the home is held in trust

Respond promptly — verification holds are the top reason first-year payments miss their wave. Your first reimbursement may be small (current taxes barely above base-year taxes); that’s expected and the checks grow every year afterward.

After you file

  • Track status online or at 1-800-882-6597 — see checking your status.
  • Expect payment per the 2026 wave table — July 15 through December 1 depending on filing date.
  • Watch for the other programs: the same filing pays ANCHOR (from about September) and queues Stay NJ (2025-year installments expected from February 2027).
  • Next year: file again — every year — to collect and keep your base year.

Frequently asked questions

Is there still a PTR-1 or PTR-2 form?

No. The PTR-1 (first-time) and PTR-2 (repeat) forms were replaced by the combined PAS-1 application starting with the 2024 benefit year. One PAS-1 covers the Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and Stay NJ.

Will the state automatically file the Senior Freeze for me?

No. Auto-filing (the ANC-1 letters) applies only to ANCHOR for most under-65 residents. Seniors and disabled homeowners must file the PAS-1 themselves each year — nobody files the Senior Freeze for you.

Do I need to attach proof of my property taxes to the PAS-1?

Not with the initial filing — the state verifies against municipal records and requests documents only if something doesn’t match. Keep your bills and receipts anyway, especially your base-year records, in case a verification letter arrives.

Can someone help me file — a family member or free assistance?

Yes. A family member can help you complete the online or paper form (the application is yours and signed by you), and the Division’s regional information centers offer free in-person help. Beware of anyone charging a fee to “secure” your benefit — applying is always free.

What if I miss the November 2, 2026 deadline?

File as soon as possible anyway and call 1-800-882-6597. The state has historically accepted some late property tax relief filings, but there is no guaranteed grace period — and a missed year can reset your base year. Details in the deadline guide.

Sources

This guide was fact-checked against the following official sources:

Last reviewed · See our editorial policy for how guides are fact-checked and corrected.

What changed on this page
  • — Initial publication for the 2025 benefit year: PAS-1 filing (online via propertytaxrelief.nj.gov or paper to PO Box 635), deadline November 2, 2026.

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NJ Programs Editorial Team · Research & Editorial

The editorial team researches, writes, and maintains every guide on this site, checking each fact against official NJ Division of Taxation publications before and after publication.

Keep reading

How to File Form PAS-1 (Online or Paper)Step-by-step PAS-1 filing: ID.me verification, income sections, direct deposit, the paper mailing addresses, and the documents to gather before you start.PAS-1 Document Checklist BuilderAnswer three questions and get a personalized checklist of every document you need to file your PAS-1 property tax relief application. Free and private.Senior Freeze Payment Schedule 2026Senior Freeze payments for the 2025 benefit year began July 15, 2026. See the full payment wave table by filing date, plus direct deposit vs. paper check timing.What Is the Senior Freeze Base Year?Your base year is the first year you met all Senior Freeze requirements — the property tax amount your reimbursement is measured against. How it's set and when it resets.