This article explains New Jersey’s Stay NJ 2026 property tax relief program and how PAS-1 and ANC-1 forms fit together for homeowners age 55+. Readers in Ocean County, New Jersey will learn key eligibility basics, filing steps, deadlines, and common paperwork mistakes to avoid.

Stay NJ is a New Jersey property tax relief program starting in 2026 for eligible homeowners age 55 and older. PAS-1 is the combined application for Senior Freeze, ANCHOR, and Stay NJ, while ANC-1 is the ANCHOR-only form. Ocean County, New Jersey homeowners should track eligibility, deadlines, and benefit coordination.

Stay NJ 2026 Explained: PAS-1, ANC-1 & What Ocean County Homeowners 55+ Need to Know

If you’re a homeowner in Ocean County and you’re 55 or older, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important years for your property tax relief — and potentially one of the most confusing. Three forms, one deadline, and thousands of dollars on the line.

The Stay NJ program, along with the PAS-1 and ANC-1 forms, has created a maze of paperwork that many homeowners are struggling to navigate. Miss a filing deadline or complete the wrong form, and you could lose out on as much as $4,000 in annual savings.

In this post, I’ll break down what Stay NJ actually is, how it connects to the Senior Freeze and Anchor programs, and the three costly mistakes I see Ocean County homeowners make at the closing table every single week. Whether you live in Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, or anywhere along the shore, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to file, when to file it, and how to protect your benefits before selling your home.

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Understanding Stay NJ: The State’s Newest Senior Property Tax Relief Program

Stay NJ is New Jersey’s newest attempt to ease the property tax burden on senior homeowners. It’s designed for residents age 65 and older with household incomes under the state’s set threshold. When fully phased in, it’s expected to reduce annual property tax bills by roughly half, up to a maximum cap set by the state each year.

But here’s the catch — Stay NJ is not automatic. You don’t get enrolled just because you turned 65, have lived in your home for decades, or have received Anchor checks in the past. You must apply, and the application is made through the PAS-1 form.

Many homeowners assume they’ll receive Stay NJ benefits automatically because they already participate in the Anchor or Senior Freeze programs. That’s one of the biggest misconceptions circulating right now in Ocean County communities like Lavallette, Seaside Heights, and Berkeley Township.

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How Stay NJ Works with Senior Freeze and Anchor

A common question I hear from homeowners is:

“If I qualify for Stay NJ, Senior Freeze, and Anchor, do I get all three payments?”

The answer is no — they don’t stack.

The state runs the numbers behind the scenes and pays you the single largest benefit you qualify for. Here’s how it works in practice:

• Anchor might be worth about $1,500.
• Senior Freeze might come in closer to $2,000.
• Stay NJ could total around $3,500.

You won’t receive $7,000 in combined benefits. Instead, the state pays you the largest one — in this case, $3,500 — because Stay NJ absorbs the others when it’s the higher amount.

While that may sound disappointing, the system is actually far simpler than before. Seniors used to juggle three separate applications with different deadlines and risk missing one entirely. Now, a single PAS-1 filing triggers all three calculations, and the state pays the maximum benefit automatically.

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PAS-1: The Key to Stay NJ and More

Think of it this way: Stay NJ is the door — PAS-1 is the key.

PAS-1 is the combined application that determines your eligibility for Stay NJ, Anchor, and Senior Freeze. You fill out one form, and the state determines which program provides the largest benefit.

Three Critical Things to Know About PAS-1

1. The Deadline Is Everything
   Missing the PAS-1 deadline is the number one mistake I see across Ocean County. There’s no grace period and no appeal. Miss it, and you wait a full year to reapply — meaning 12 months of lost savings.

2. Gather Your Documents Early
   Before you sit down to complete PAS-1, have these ready:

   • Your prior year’s property tax bill
   • Your latest income tax return
   • Proof of age (such as a driver’s license or birth certificate)
   • Proof of New Jersey residency

   Having everything in one place makes the process smooth — about 30 minutes start to finish. Without it, you risk delays or errors that can hold up your benefit.

3. If You Move or Sell Mid-Year, It Gets Complicated
   Selling or moving within New Jersey during the benefit year changes how your relief is calculated. The state pro-rates your benefit based on how long you owned and lived in your qualifying home. If that’s you, talk to your CPA before filing. I’ve seen homeowners in Toms River and Point Pleasant lose hundreds — even thousands — by skipping that step.

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ANC-1: Keeping Your Anchor Benefit Active

If you’ve been receiving Anchor checks or direct deposits, you’re already in the system. But starting in 2026, the state added a new confirmation step — the ANC-1 form — to ensure your information is current.

Why ANC-1 Exists

Over the years, the state found that checks were being sent to old addresses or closed bank accounts. People move, refinance, or change financial institutions — and without updated information, their benefits went missing.

ANC-1 fixes that. It’s a quick verification form — usually just five or ten minutes — to confirm your address, filing status, and payment details.

For most homeowners, it’s a routine check-in. But if you’ve had major life changes, like a spouse passing away or a move within New Jersey, ANC-1 becomes critical to keep your benefits uninterrupted.

If you’re filing PAS-1 for Stay NJ this year, you typically won’t need a separate ANC-1 — the state coordinates both automatically. However, if you’re under 65 and only qualify for Anchor, ANC-1 is your form.

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The Three Costly Mistakes Ocean County Homeowners Make

After more than 21 years sitting at closing tables across Ocean County, I see the same three mistakes over and over — and they can cost homeowners thousands.

1. Assuming You’re Auto-Enrolled

Even if you’ve received Anchor payments before, you’re not automatically enrolled in Stay NJ. You must file PAS-1. Don’t rely on prior participation or assumptions — the system doesn’t carry over benefits automatically.

2. Filing Late

The PAS-1 deadline is strict. Miss it, and you forfeit the year’s benefit. I’ve seen homeowners in Brick and Barnegat lose $3,000 to $4,000 because their form sat on the counter two weeks too long. Set a reminder and file early.

3. Selling Without Notifying Your Accountant

If you sell your home mid-year, your benefit is prorated. Failing to report that properly can mean losing money — or owing some back to the state. I once handled a Toms River closing where the seller lost $1,700 due to a missed filing update.

If you’re even thinking about selling in 2026, talk to your accountant and your real estate agent before listing. Waiting until after you accept an offer is too late to adjust your tax benefit status properly. For more on that process, check out our guide to preparing your Ocean County home for sale.

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Your Four-Step Action Plan for 2026

Don’t wait until tax season to get organized. Here’s a short checklist to protect your benefits:

1. Pull last year’s property tax bill.
   Verify your property details and confirm all taxes are current.

2. Gather your most recent income tax return.
   Your eligibility for Stay NJ and Anchor is income-based, so accuracy matters.

3. Check the official deadline for PAS-1 on the New Jersey Division of Taxation website.
   The date changes yearly, and missing it is costly.

4. If you plan to sell or move in 2026, schedule a consultation with both your CPA and an experienced Ocean County real estate professional. The coordination between your sale and your tax benefits can make a major difference in your bottom line.

A weekend of preparation could be worth thousands in property tax relief — and help you avoid the stress of last-minute paperwork or lost benefits.

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Final Thoughts

The Stay NJ program is a tremendous opportunity for Ocean County seniors, but only if you understand how to navigate it. The PAS-1 form is your entry point, ANC-1 keeps your records current, and filing both correctly — and on time — can make a substantial difference in your annual budget.

If you’re unsure which forms apply to you or how a potential home sale might affect your eligibility, reach out for a no-pressure conversation. After more than two decades helping Ocean County homeowners, I’ve seen how a few hours of planning today can prevent costly mistakes tomorrow.

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Ready to make sure you’re filing correctly before the 2026 deadline?
Call, email, or stop by my Toms River office for a quick consultation. We’ll go over your paperwork, timing, and next steps — so you can enjoy your property tax relief with confidence.

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About the Author

Joseph E. Haberl is the Broker-Owner of Our Shore Real Estate LLC, serving Ocean County, New Jersey for over 21 years. With deep expertise in Toms River, Brick Township, Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, and Lavallette, Joe helps buyers and sellers navigate the Jersey Shore real estate market with confidence.
📍 Our Shore Real Estate LLC
2008 Route 37 E Suite 12, Toms River, NJ 08753
☎️ Office: 732-244-1774
📱 Mobile: 732-674-3149
📧 Email: jhaberl@josephhaberl.com
🌐 Website: OurShoreRealEstate.net
📜 NJ Broker License #0452408
⚖️ Equal Housing Opportunity

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stay NJ (2026), and how is it different from the Senior Freeze program?

Stay NJ is a New Jersey property tax relief initiative scheduled to begin in 2026, designed to provide eligible homeowners with a benefit tied to their property tax bill. Many Ocean County homeowners are hearing “Stay NJ” alongside familiar programs like Senior Freeze, but they’re not the same program and they don’t work the same way.

The Senior Freeze program (often called the “Property Tax Reimbursement” program) generally reimburses eligible homeowners for increases in property taxes over time, based on a base-year comparison. Stay NJ, by contrast, is being discussed as a separate benefit with its own eligibility rules, application process, and timing.

For Ocean County homeowners—especially those in higher-tax municipalities along the Jersey Shore—understanding which program(s) you may qualify for can affect budgeting, escrow planning, and even the timing of a sale or purchase. A practical next step is to keep copies of your current property tax bill(s), proof of residency/ownership, and prior-year filings so you’re ready when 2026 program details and deadlines are finalized.

What are PAS-1 and ANC-1, and which one do Ocean County homeowners need for Stay NJ?

PAS-1 and ANC-1 are New Jersey property tax relief-related forms that homeowners may encounter when applying for or coordinating benefits. In plain terms, these forms help the state verify eligibility and ensure the right benefit is applied to the right property and taxpayer.

PAS-1 is commonly referenced as an application form used for certain property tax relief benefits. ANC-1 is often associated with confirming or certifying information needed for a benefit to be processed correctly. The exact form you’ll need can depend on the specific program you’re applying for (and whether you’re also participating in other NJ relief programs).

Because Stay NJ is tied to 2026, homeowners in Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, Lavallette, and other Ocean County towns should expect guidance to evolve as the state finalizes implementation details. The best next step is to monitor official NJ Treasury/Division of Taxation updates and keep your ownership and residency documents organized so you can complete the correct form quickly when the application window opens.

How do I apply for Stay NJ in 2026, and what documents should I gather now?

The Stay NJ application process is expected to involve a formal filing (often referenced as a PAS-1 application) and may require supporting documentation to confirm eligibility and property details. While the state will publish the definitive checklist closer to the 2026 rollout, most property tax relief programs require similar categories of information.

Ocean County homeowners can prepare now by gathering: your most recent property tax bills, proof of ownership (such as a deed or closing disclosure), proof of primary residency, and prior-year NJ tax filings if applicable. If you have a mortgage, keep your escrow statements as well—these can help you track how property tax changes affect your monthly payment.

If you’re planning a move—downsizing, purchasing a shore home, or selling a long-held primary residence—timing can matter. A smart next step is to speak with your tax professional about how a 2026 benefit might interact with your household’s tax situation, and to consult a local Ocean County real estate professional about how property taxes and relief programs can influence affordability and buyer demand.