Dear Mayor,

The Division of Taxation mailed about 1.1 million Homestead Rebate checks to homeowners on September 15.  Eligible homeowners who are under age 65 and not blind or disabled and who filed their applications by August 15 can expect to receive their 2006 rebate checks this week.  Applicants who requested direct deposit when they filed their applications will have their rebates deposited directly into their bank accounts.

Rebates for applicants who filed between August 15 and the extended deadline of October 31, 2007, will be issued as quickly as possible.  Homestead Rebate checks were mailed in early August to eligible senior and disabled homeowners, as well as to all eligible tenants.

Eligible nonsenior, nondisabled homeowners with incomes of $250,000 or less will receive a percentage of the first $10,000 of their property taxes. Those with incomes of $100,000 or less will receive 20% (maximum $2,000). Homeowners whose incomes are between $100,001 and $150,000 will receive 15% (maximum $1,500), and those with incomes between $150,001 and $250,000, 10% (maximum $1,000).  Homeowners with incomes over $250,000 are not eligible for the rebate.

Homeowners and tenants who still have not yet applied for the rebate have until October 31, 2007, to file their applications.  Homeowners can file by phone (1-877-658-2972) or online at www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Tenants can complete and file a paper Homestead Rebate Application, Form TR-1040, or they can use NJ WebFile, the Division of Taxation's free Internet filing system, which is available at www.njwebfile.com

The Division of Taxation can handle questions from the public as follows:

Homestead Rebate Program:

• To file applications by phone:   1-877-658-2972
• To file applications online:   www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/
• To ask questions:   1-888-238-1233 (homeowners) or 609-292-6400 (tenants)
• To check status (amount) of a filed rebate application:  1-877-658-2972
• Online information: www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/homestead/06hrintro.htm

The e-mail address for rebate questions is: [email protected] TTY Equipment Users:   1-800-286-6613 or 609-984-7300

The Taxation e-mail address for general tax questions is: [email protected]

Information about all property tax relief programs can be found on the Division's Web site at:   www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/relief.htm.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                                        William G. Dressel, Jr.
                                                                        Executive Director