This bill amends the eligibility criteria for the homestead property tax reimbursement program in New Jersey by lowering the minimum age for a surviving spouse of an eligible claimant from 65 to 62 years old. This change allows surviving spouses to maintain their eligibility for the property tax reimbursement benefit upon the death of the eligible claimant, thereby providing additional financial support to those who may be facing increased property taxes.

The bill is retroactive to January 1, 2020, ensuring that surviving spouses who meet the new age requirement can benefit from the program for tax years dating back to that date. The homestead property tax reimbursement, often referred to as the senior freeze, is designed to assist eligible senior citizens and disabled persons by compensating for increases in property taxes, thereby promoting financial stability for these vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54:4-8.67