Homestead Benefit Application Begins Homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements will receive a partial credit for property taxes they paid in 2009 against their property tax bills for the second quarter of 2011. To be eligible for the program a person must be a New Jersey resident who owned a  principal residence on October 1, 2009, and paid property taxes on that home and reported $75,000 or less in New Jersey gross income in 2009, or if they are a senior or disable citizen with a 2009 gross income of $150,000 or less.

For more information on the Homestead Benefit Program, homeowners may call the Division of Taxation’s Homestead Benefit Hotline at 1-888-238-12433 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Homestead benefit information is also available on the Division’s website at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/2009homesteadinfo.shtml and through its Automated Tax Information System at 1-800-323-4400.  Text telephone service for the hearing impaired is provided at 1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300.  Once they receive their applications, homeowners can file by phone by calling 1-877-658-2972, or online at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/