Why are NJ property taxes are highest in US?
How property taxes in New Jersey work and what the money is spent on. Also, why are they the highest in the U.S.?
ANCHOR rebate checks and IRS tax refunds are still on the way. Wondering if you can still apply for the ANCHOR relief payment or the track the status of your tax refund or stimulus check? Here’s what to know.
The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program offers tax relief to New Jersey property owners and renters that meet specific requirements, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. It offers up to $1,750 for homeowners ages 65 or older, or up to $1,500 for homeowners below 65; and renters age 65 or older may receive up to $700, while renters younger than 65 may be given up to $450.
The deadline to apply using the online form was Oct. 31.
Here’s how to check on your ANCHOR payment status or IRS refunds.
Where is my ANCHOR rebate check?
The ANCHOR rebate payments started going out on Sept. 15 and will continue on a rolling basis. Most residents should expect their payments within 90 days of their filing via direct deposit if filed online or check by mail for those that filed on paper, according to the Department of Taxation.
To check on the status of your ANCHOR rebate, click here or visit nj.gov/treasury/taxation/anchor/ with your Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number and ZIP code.
For more help, you can call 888-238-1233.
Who is getting ANCHOR property tax relief payments?
The ANCHOR program offers tax relief to New Jersey property owners and renters that meet specific requirements, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. It offers up to $1,750 for homeowners 65 or older, or up to $1,500 for homeowners below 65 and renters age 65 or older may receive up to $700, while renters younger than 65 may be given up to $450.
The deadline to apply using the online form was Oct. 31.
Where is my federal tax refund?
If you filed your federal taxes electronically and included your banking information, then you may expect a direct deposit within 21 days. If you did not include banking information, then you may expect a paper check refund via the mail within six to eight weeks.
Submitting your return is not the same as the IRS accepting your return. Once it is accepted, you will know it has if you see a “Refund Sent” alert when you check your tax return status online, at which point you won’t have to wait too long for the funds to show up in your account.
Once the IRS approves your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The IRS has an online tool called “Where’s My Refund” that allows you to check on the status of your refund.
You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you e-filed your return. The refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight.
The online tool requires you to enter your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount on the return. It will then respond with a return received (processing), refund approved (preparing to issue refund by date shown) or refund sent (send to your bank or in the mail).
Again, once it shows the IRS has approved your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The other way to check on the status is to call the IRS at 800-829-1954.
Where is my state tax refund?
Most states have dedicated online portals for tracking income tax returns.
The Delaware Division of Taxation has established an online portal you can access to check the status of your state refund.
To check the Pennsylvania online portal for state tax refund, click here.
To check the New Jersey online portal for state tax refund, click here.
Is there a fourth stimulus check? How to check eligibility
While speculation about a fourth stimulus check has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
The first stimulus check was for up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples, plus $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17. While the second stimulus check was up to $600 per individual, $1,200 for married couples and $600 per qualifying child under 17.
The third stimulus check was for $1,400 per eligible individual and married couples filing jointly received an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
The opportunities to claim or file for the first stimulus payment (issued in March and April 2020) or the second stimulus check (issued by Jan. 15, 2021) or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) have now passed.
The deadline to file for the third and last stimulus check was April 15, 2025; it marked a three-year deadline to claim any tax refunds or in this case, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021.
It is best to work directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a reputable tax professional to address missing stimulus payments or claim the relevant Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, if eligible.
Even if you received a tax extension, you still needed to file your 2021 tax return by the April 15, 2025 deadline to claim that third stimulus check. There are no extensions or appeals available for missed deadlines, and any unclaimed stimulus payments become the property of the U.S. Treasury.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
