OT: Stay in NJ program question

[SeaGlass]

I received my August Stay in NJ check and it was exactly 1/2 of what my February and May checks were. I went to the NJ website but could not find any explanation on this.

Has anyone run into the same issue??

 

[Caliknight]

You receive money for not leaving NJ?

 

[SeaGlass]

You receive money for not leaving NJ?

Yes, I have a great deal of charisma.

 

[24Babybull]

I get my checks mailed to Florida...

 

[MrsScrew]

I'm going to need more info on these checks........ Stay in NJ??

 

[knightfan7]

I received my August Stay in NJ check and it was exactly 1/2 of what my February and May checks were. I went to the NJ website but could not find any explanation on this.

Has anyone run into the same issue??

Yes.

 

[kupuna133]

I received my August Stay in NJ check and it was exactly 1/2 of what my February and May checks were. I went to the NJ website but could not find any explanation on this.

Has anyone run into the same issue??

Google search produced the following:



+4




The third round of Stay NJ property tax relief paper checks is arriving in mailboxes across New Jersey. Recent state budget changes have reduced these August check amounts to half of the previous winter installments, with an income cap of $200,000

 

[knightfan7]

I'm going to need more info on these checks........ Stay in NJ??

NJ Division of Taxation - ANCHOR Program

 

[RU in IM]

You receive money for not leaving NJ?

It’s a property tax refund for seniors (65 and older). Residents who are under 65 and meeting income limits qualify for a property tax refund through the Anchor program. NJ has experienced one of the highest net population outflow rates in the country; mainly seniors. This is due to high state tax rates and very high property tax rates.

 

[MrsScrew]

NJ Division of Taxation - ANCHOR Program

I already get the Anchor money, he described something different. Unfortunately, or fortunately, we are relocating to NC next year so I will miss out on the over 65 checks.

 

[knightfan7]

Google search produced the following:


View attachment 1400918
+4



View attachment 1400919
The third round of Stay NJ property tax relief paper checks is arriving in mailboxes across New Jersey. Recent state budget changes have reduced these August check amounts to half of the previous winter installments, with an income cap of $200,000

If I remember correctly only the first 2 were guaranteed. After that Aug and Nov depended on available budget funds.

 

[MrsScrew]

It’s a property tax refund for seniors (65 and older). Residents who are under 65 and meeting income limits qualify for a property tax refund through the Anchor program. NJ has experienced one of the highest net population outflow rates in the country; mainly seniors. This is due to high state tax rates and very high property tax rates.

exactly why we are leaving in January. better quality of life and taxes 1/3 of what we are paying.

 

[RU206]

Seniors leaving for the south isn't a bad thing. It would create more housing opportunities for the many people trying to buy. Housing prices are insanely high right now in NJ, and more houses on the market would be welcomed.

 

[Caliknight]

It’s a property tax refund for seniors (65 and older). Residents who are under 65 and meeting income limits qualify for a property tax refund through the Anchor program. NJ has experienced one of the highest net population outflow rates in the country; mainly seniors. This is due to high state tax rates and very high property tax rates.

Kinda funny how taxing people to death forces them to leave.

 

[Caliknight]

Seniors leaving for the south isn't a bad thing. It would create more housing opportunities for the many people trying to buy. Housing prices are insanely high right now in NJ, and more houses on the market would be welcomed.

Not just seniors. The amount of wealth that has flowed to Florida, specifically Miami, is staggering.

 

[RU206]

Not just seniors. The amount of wealth that has flowed to Florida, specifically Miami, is staggering.

But the amount of wealth flowing into NJ is just as staggering. Housing in Middletown for over $1M for a basic house. All beach towns are significantly overpriced. Check realtor.com, it's insane.

 

[DHajekRC1984]

I received my August Stay in NJ check and it was exactly 1/2 of what my February and May checks were. I went to the NJ website but could not find any explanation on this.

Has anyone run into the same issue??

Im surprised by most of the comments as usually folks here are clued in to facts. NJ residents not knowing what u r talking about and the diifererce between freeze, anchir, and stay..really?

To address your question..i was surprised as well when my check was also 50%. I knew about changes for 2027.. (2025 payment and income levels]..but nowhere did I see that they were cutting back half 2026 levels in half. Well they did just that. Didnt get anywhere near as much press. They buried it.

You can check the CE forum to see where thise funds went.

 

[DHajekRC1984]

Seniors leaving for the south isn't a bad thing. It would create more housing opportunities for the many people trying to buy. Housing prices are insanely high right now in NJ, and more houses on the market would be welcomed.

Thats 1 way to look at it. But when the huge wealth transfer from us boomers take place the loss in taxes on RMDs and Inheritance Tax will be a hit to NJ.

Thats the math and why this came about. They went a long way to close the incentive to move. They just put it back in play. But these folks care about the next election and budget only.

 

[RU in IM]

exactly why we are leaving in January. better quality of life and taxes 1/3 of what we are paying.

We have a 2nd home in SC that I hope we can move to. RE taxes and state taxes will be lower.

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

You can thank your new Governor who talks with fork tongue. She slashed it by 50%, after campaigning that she wouldn't touch it. The old West Point cheater at it again. My first 2 were $360 and this last one was $180. Must need more money for the illegals.

 

[knightfan7]

exactly why we are leaving in January. better quality of life and taxes 1/3 of what we are paying.

If you're not in NJ, do you still get to keep your crown?

 

[Shelby65]

exactly why we are leaving in January. better quality of life and taxes 1/3 of what we are paying.

Did you factor in missing out on watching fair catches by the home team on Fall Saturdays in your quality of life math ? Your loss.

 

[Jersey Al 64]

In addition to Stay New Jersey and anchor benefits there are other tax benefits for seniors. There is no state tax on social security income and there is a pension income exclusion . Exclusion can be 100, 50, or 25% depending on your income (Ex. If income under $100k, all of it is excluded from taxable income). There is also the senior freeze of property taxes when they Increase, again based on income level.

 

[newell138]

You receive money for not leaving NJ?

And they actually fine you if you try to leave. Not a joke

New Jersey Exit Tax Explained: Capital Gains, Exemptions, and How to Legally Avoid It in 2026 | GTA Accounting Group

Learn how to navigate, reduce, or legally avoid New Jersey’s exit tax when selling your home and moving out of state in 2026.

gtaaccountinggroup.com

 

[RUschool]

With all the property tax refund programs, seniors get a max of about $6,500 tax refund. The Stay New Jersey program depends on money available in the budget so assume the refunds will be cut. Our net tax bill is about $7,500-8,000. I don’t think there’s much saving moving to florida with the home insurance, flood insurance and HOA cost on top of the recent increase in home prices in Florida.

 

[rureadyforsomefootball]

And they actually fine you if you try to leave. Not a joke

New Jersey Exit Tax Explained: Capital Gains, Exemptions, and How to Legally Avoid It in 2026 | GTA Accounting Group

Learn how to navigate, reduce, or legally avoid New Jersey’s exit tax when selling your home and moving out of state in 2026.

gtaaccountinggroup.com

How is this even legal and how many other states have something simular?

 

[JL23]

With all the property tax refund programs, seniors get a max of about $6,500 tax refund. The Stay New Jersey program depends on money available in the budget so assume the refunds will be cut. Our net tax bill is about $7,500-8,000. I don’t think there’s much saving moving to florida with the home insurance, flood insurance and HOA cost on top of the recent increase in home prices in Florida.

It's almost a wash now vis a vis NJ vs. Florida
Pre-Covid you could still get good deals - now it's much harder

Add in the other associated costs and the $$ is similar, at least short term
Long term (pension and ss) advantages are FL - that, and it's hot summers vs cold winters - pick your poison

 

[DHajekRC1984]

In addition to Stay New Jersey and anchor benefits there are other tax benefits for seniors. There is no state tax on social security income and there is a pension income exclusion . Exclusion can be 100, 50, or 25% depending on your income (Ex. If income under $100k, all of it is excluded from taxable income). There is also the senior freeze of property taxes when they Increase, again based on income level.

not an argument , just building on your post ... (boy they make all this stuff WAY too complicated).... when they Qualify you for those programs, they INCLUDE SS and 100% of everything else to calculate Gross Income. And they change the rules AFTER the fact going back years to qualify you for the current rebates. Not giving you a chance to adjust your income.

For 2 years in a row (2023 and 2024..which were incomes for 2021 and 2022) I lost the $1500 Anchor (so total of $3000) all because I was over the income limit by a few thousand for a paper transaction (Roth conversion) that I could have adjusted down just a tad to qualify). So a few thousand cost me a few thousand.

 

[RUbacker]

I received my August Stay in NJ check and it was exactly 1/2 of what my February and May checks were. I went to the NJ website but could not find any explanation on this.

Has anyone run into the same issue??

helicopter pilot already made cuts to the program and she just got in office.

 

[Knight Shift]

helicopter pilot already made cuts to the program and she just got in office.

They had to fund the $135,000 cost for the portrait of Governor Toofus. WTAF? Why not take a picture, and make a poster of it? Or was the fee originally $1,000, and it was en extra $134,000 to paint all his teeth?

Smile! N.J. taxpayers get stuck with Murphy’s $135K portrait bill

Former Gov. Phil Murphy’s official portrait will cost taxpayers $135,000 — the most expensive gubernatorial portrait in New Jersey history.

nj1015.com

 

[newell138]

How is this even legal and how many other states have something simular?

 

[RU206]

New Jersey is paying about $135,000 in public funds for former Gov. Phil Murphy’s official portrait, using money from a $250,000 taxpayer-funded gubernatorial transition appropriation. It is the most expensive gubernatorial portrait in New Jersey history; Chris Christie’s cost $85,000.

New Jersey is not unique in having taxpayers pay for governors’ portraits. Several states where public funding is expressly allowed or has been used:

State	Taxpayer funding?	Example / rule
New Jersey	Yes	Murphy: $135,000; Christie: $85,000.
North Carolina	Yes, required by statute	State law directs that each governor's portrait be painted and says the cost “shall be paid” from the Contingency and Emergency Fund.
Massachusetts	Yes, if appropriated	State law specifically authorizes spending appropriated money to obtain portraits of former governors.
Rhode Island	Yes	State law requires an official portrait; previous portraits were state-funded at $15,000, and the state budgeted $25,000 toward Gina Raimondo’s portrait.
Connecticut	Yes, historically	The Connecticut State Library says past gubernatorial portraits have been funded by the legislature.
Minnesota	Yes, historically	Former Gov. Rudy Perpich’s portrait cost taxpayers $6,000.
Illinois	Generally permitted	Illinois specifically prohibits state funds only for portraits of governors removed through impeachment and conviction, implying public funding remains permissible for other governors.
Maryland	No, currently for governors	Governors and spouses use a private foundation, not public funds, for their portraits.
Indiana	Portrait required, but privately funded in at least some cases	State law requires the portrait, but private money paid for Gov. Joe Kernan’s commission and framing.

 

[DHajekRC1984]

New Jersey is paying about $135,000 in public funds for former Gov. Phil Murphy’s official portrait, using money from a $250,000 taxpayer-funded gubernatorial transition appropriation. It is the most expensive gubernatorial portrait in New Jersey history; Chris Christie’s cost $85,000.

New Jersey is not unique in having taxpayers pay for governors’ portraits. Several states where public funding is expressly allowed or has been used:

State	Taxpayer funding?	Example / rule
New Jersey	Yes	Murphy: $135,000; Christie: $85,000.
North Carolina	Yes, required by statute	State law directs that each governor's portrait be painted and says the cost “shall be paid” from the Contingency and Emergency Fund.
Massachusetts	Yes, if appropriated	State law specifically authorizes spending appropriated money to obtain portraits of former governors.
Rhode Island	Yes	State law requires an official portrait; previous portraits were state-funded at $15,000, and the state budgeted $25,000 toward Gina Raimondo’s portrait.
Connecticut	Yes, historically	The Connecticut State Library says past gubernatorial portraits have been funded by the legislature.
Minnesota	Yes, historically	Former Gov. Rudy Perpich’s portrait cost taxpayers $6,000.
Illinois	Generally permitted	Illinois specifically prohibits state funds only for portraits of governors removed through impeachment and conviction, implying public funding remains permissible for other governors.
Maryland	No, currently for governors	Governors and spouses use a private foundation, not public funds, for their portraits.
Indiana	Portrait required, but privately funded in at least some cases	State law requires the portrait, but private money paid for Gov. Joe Kernan’s commission and framing.

$13.5k per tooth.. lots of photo shopping required.

 

[RUbacker]

They had to fund the $135,000 cost for the portrait of Governor Toofus. WTAF? Why not take a picture, and make a poster of it? Or was the fee originally $1,000, and it was en extra $134,000 to paint all his teeth?

View attachment 1401947

Smile! N.J. taxpayers get stuck with Murphy’s $135K portrait bill

Former Gov. Phil Murphy’s official portrait will cost taxpayers $135,000 — the most expensive gubernatorial portrait in New Jersey history.

nj1015.com

lol