Where do I report a NJ homestead benefit refund check that I received in 2018 for 2015, in Federal and State??

[Ezgoer]

NJ Homestead Benefit CHECK refund, where do I report in Federal and State

[JohnW15 · Accepted solution]

You may not need to  -- it depends.

The Homestead Rebate should only be included in your taxable income for 2018 on your federal return if, in 2015, you itemized deductions and actually benefited from the deduction of the property tax.  The income recognition principle at work here is exactly the same as that applied to refunds of state income tax.

If it needs to be reported on your federal return, given this information, it would be reported as "Other Income."

It wouldn't be reported on your state return. 

[Ezgoer]

Thank you