Error Messages On ANCHOR Rebate Status Page: Here’s What It Means

NEW JERSEY — If you're a New Jersey taxpayer who has been having some trouble trying to check your ANCHOR property tax benefit status online, you are not alone.

Over the past week, a number of social media users on Facebook, X.com, and Reddit have said that they are getting an error message when they go to look up their application status. That message says that they already have another window or tab already open in the system, and they aren't able to get through.

The first round of ANCHOR payments are processing, with eligible residents expected to see their money (between $450 and $1,750) by mid-October. So, some taxpayers are expressing frustrations that they can't get into the system to see when that check or direct deposit will arrive.

Patch checked in with the state Department of the Treasury to ask about the error message. A spokeswoman said that applicants may see this message "if the benefit status tool webpage is open in multiple tabs and/or on multiple devices," and that users could experience delays if there are a lot of people trying to use the site.

"It is recommended that applicants use a desktop computer to access the benefit status tool in one tab," she said. "Applicants are encouraged to wait until later this week or next week to utilize the benefit status check tool for the current ANCHOR season."

Social media users also offered their own advice to their fellow New Jerseyans, which includes clearing your browser history, or trying to access the website from a different computer/a different browser.

The state did put in new security measures for the third year of the ANCHOR program (which stands for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters). Officials said they caught more than 900,000 fraudulent attempts to get money from the program in 2023.

Certain taxpayers will have to go through more security steps than in years past: Anyone who is filing a new application, who lost their ANCHOR ID and PIN, or did not receive a letter from the state about the program will need to verify their identity through ID.me.

Eligibility and payments for this year's ANCHOR program are based on your 2021 residency, income, and age. For that year, homeowners must have had an annual gross income of $250,000 or less, and renters must have had an annual income of $150,000 or less to be eligible.

The deadline for new applicants is Nov. 30. Homeowners can receive up to a $1,500 refund and renters can get up to $450 — with eligible seniors 65 and older getting an extra $250.

About 2 million people are expected to receive an ANCHOR benefit this year, compared to 1.8 million last year and 1.6 million in 2022, according to a report from the Department of the Treasury published by the state legislature. Of these, about 1.5 million were automatically enrolled to get their payments this year, according to the state Division of Taxation.

Officials also said they have made improvements to the ANCHOR call center, by doubling the number of representatives available to help callers with questions, and adding an an automatic callback feature which allows residents to be placed in a queue rather than waiting on hold.

You can find more information about the program at anchor.nj.gov. Applicants may also call the ANCHOR hotline at (609) 826-4282 or 1-888-238-1233, or get in-person assistance at a Regional Information Center.

Related articles —

• Here's When To Expect Your ANCHOR Refund
• How To Get Your ANCHOR Rebate If You Didn’t Receive A Mailer
• NJ Tightens Security For ANCHOR Rebates Amid Fraud: What To Know
• Do I Qualify For Automatic ANCHOR Payment In NJ? 5 Things To Know