TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak (both D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic) encouraged eligible seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities in New Jersey to apply for property tax relief programs that are offered by the State of New Jersey. The legislators highlighted a number of tax credit programs that are available to certain eligible residents throughout the state.
“New Jersey offers a range programs for residents that are intended to help offset some of the property tax costs paid throughout the year,” said Senator Van Drew. “The programs designed for seniors, veterans and those with disabilities are critical since they are intended to provide property tax relief to those who may be in particular need of financial assistance.”
“These are important programs that can help to provide a small bit of relief to residents who are trying to make ends meet, and paying for groceries, rent or mortgage and other necessities. We encourage those who may be eligible to learn more about the programs by visiting the state Treasury website or calling our offices directly for assistance,” said Assemblyman Andrzejczak.
The legislators highlighted the following programs for veterans, seniors and individuals with disabilities:
- Veterans or their surviving spouses – Veterans or their surviving spouses may be eligible for a $250 property tax deduction. To qualify, a resident must be an honorably discharged US Armed Forces war veteran or the unmarried spouse of a serviceperson who served in time of war and died while on active duty. A resident must be a property owner and a legal resident of New Jersey and, where applicable, prove that the deceased veteran or serviceperson was a legal resident of New Jersey. Claim Form V.S.S. must be filed with your municipal tax assessor or collector.
- Veterans who are 100% disabled or their unmarried surviving spouse – Veterans who are 100% disabled or their unmarried surviving spouse may be eligible for a full property tax exemption on their house and the lot on which it is situated. To qualify, an applicant must be an honorably discharged disabled veteran who had active service in time of war in the US Armed Forces, or the unmarried surviving spouse of such a disabled veteran. Unmarried surviving spouses of individuals who died in active service in time of war also qualify. Wartime service-connected disability must be certified by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. In the case of a surviving spouse, the deceased must also have been a legal resident of New Jersey. Claim form D.V.S.S.E. must be filed with your municipal tax assessor.
- Senior citizens, individuals with disabilities or a surviving spouse – Senior citizens, individuals with disabilities or a surviving spouse may also be eligible for a $250 property tax deduction. To qualify, an applicant must be age 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled individual or the unmarried surviving spouse, age 55 or more, of such person. You must be a legal resident of the state for one year immediately prior to Oct. 1 of the year before the deduction is requested. Income may be no more than $10,000 during the year for which the deduction is claimed excluding, with restrictions, income received from social security, federal and state pension disability and retirement programs. Claim form PTD must be filed with your municipal tax assessor or collector. Additionally, Form PD5, Annual Post-Tax Year Income Statement must be filed with your tax collector each year after initial qualification.
Senator Van Drew and Assemblyman Andrzejczak are also the sponsors of bills to improve access to property tax deductions and other programs for veterans. The first measure (SCR64) proposes a constitutional amendment to extend the current $250 property tax deduction, which applies to veterans of the United States Armed Forces who are honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service, in time of war, to also include members of the United States Armed Forces while they are on active service during time of war or other emergency.
“Just as veterans are provided a property tax deduction, we want to make sure that active duty soldiers who are serving our country and own a home in New Jersey receive the same financial benefit,” said Assemblyman Andrzejczak. “Expanding this program is just one way the state can demonstrate its appreciation for the military personnel who have made a commitment to keeping this country safe.”
Sponsored by Senator Van Drew, a second bill (S-195) would broaden the eligibility for various veterans benefits by eliminating the requirement that to be considered a veteran a person must have served during periods of war, in specific war zones, or during periods of emergency. Instead, the bill provides that a person will be considered a veteran if he or she served for at least 90 days, exclusive of certain types of initial training, in order to be eligible for veterans benefits.
The veterans benefits include:
(1) civil service preference under Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes;
(2) veteran’s retirement allowance under the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) or the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS);
(3) the purchase of additional military service credit in the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), TPAF and PERS;
(4) the annual property tax deduction provided under Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution ($250 each tax year) or the property tax exemption provided under N.J.S.A.54:4-3.30 for a veteran who is certified permanently 100% disabled by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and
(5) surviving spouse benefits for veterans killed in active service, including civil service preference and the property tax deduction or exemption.
“Regardless of their time or location of service, all veterans who served honorably deserve access to the various benefits offered by the state,” said Senator Van Drew. “This legislation will ensure that all of the men and women who enrolled in the military, and swore to defend this country, are given the respect and honor they deserve.”
Residents who would like more information may call the offices of Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak at (609) 465-0700 (Cape May Court House) or (856) 765-0891 (Millville). Additional information may be found at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation under Property Tax Relief.
