Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2306: Imposes gross receipts tax on firearms and firearms ammunition.

S 2306 would impose a 2.5% tax on retail sales of firearms and a 10% tax on retail sales of firearms ammunition within New Jersey, directly affecting retailers who sell these items in the state. The tax applies only to sales made within New Jersey, excluding sales to government agencies (federal, state, or local) or deliveries outside the state. Retailers would collect the tax and pay it monthly to the Division of Taxation, with the tax taking effect 30 days after enactment for sales starting in the first full calendar quarter after that date. The bill defines "firearms" as weapons expelling projectiles via combustion and "firearms ammunition" as cartridges, shells, and related components.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new tax revenue (2.5% firearms, 10% ammo) directly increasing state budget funds through fiscal management, aligning with budget advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 592: Dedicates sales tax revenues collected on retail sales of locally produced wine for promotion of New Jersey wine.

S 592 creates a dedicated "New Jersey Wine Promotion Account" within the Department of Agriculture to fund marketing and research for the state's wine industry. It directs two specific revenue streams into this account: $0.47 per gallon from wine sales by wineries (both plenary and farm) and the sales tax collected on retail sales of locally produced wine (excluding sales in restaurants that primarily serve meals). These funds will support promotion, research, and development of New Jersey wine, as guided by the New Jersey Wine Industry Advisory Council. The bill directly affects New Jersey wineries and the state's wine industry by establishing a dedicated, ongoing funding mechanism for marketing and product development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing sales tax revenues to fund wine promotion, creating dedicated fiscal allocation for industry development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 35: Urges federal government to repeal state and local tax deduction caps.

This Senate Resolution (SR 35) urges the federal government to repeal the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It specifically addresses New Jersey residents, who historically claimed the SALT deduction (41% of filers), face high property taxes (averaging $9,112 in 2020), and are impacted by the cap’s restriction on deducting state/local taxes. The resolution highlights New Jersey’s status as a "donor state" (paying more in federal taxes than received in funding) and notes that the cap has exacerbated financial strain amid the pandemic, with many residents relocating to lower-tax states. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally requests federal action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUrges repeal of SALT cap, allowing higher federal tax deductions for NJ residents with high property taxes, providing tax relief. Aligns with tax relief indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2965: Imposes sales and use tax and additional tax on non-essential flights on certain helicopters and seaplanes in State; dedicates revenues derived from taxation of non-essential flights to support NJT operating expenses.

S 2965 imposes a $100-per-seat or $400-per-flight tax (whichever is greater) on non-essential helicopter and seaplane flights departing from or arriving at New Jersey airports, heliports, or helistops. It excludes flights for emergency medical services, construction support, research, or nonprofit organizations (like hospitals or news agencies). Operators must collect the tax, provide electronic receipts within 48 hours detailing the flight, and pay it quarterly to the state. All revenue from this tax will fund New Jersey Transit (NJT) operating expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new tax on non-essential flights, dedicates all revenue to NJT operating expenses, directly funding public transit operations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationImposes tax on non-essential flights to fund NJT operating expenses, directly supporting public transit infrastructure and services through dedicated revenue.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 2165: "Saving Our Diners and Preserving Our Past (SODA POP) Act"; provides sales and use tax exemption and corporation business and gross income tax credits for historic diners and historic restaurants included in online registry.*

This bill provides tax incentives for historic diners and restaurants in New Jersey that meet specific criteria. To qualify, an establishment must have operated continuously for at least 25 years (including pandemic-related closures), qualify as a small business, comply with health/safety rules, and (for restaurants) be family-owned. The bill creates an annual registry managed by the Division of Travel and Tourism, granting approved operators a 12-month sales tax exemption on prepared food/beverages sold for on-site consumption and corporation business/gross income tax credits. These benefits directly support qualifying historic eateries by reducing their tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides sales tax exemption and corporation tax credits for qualifying historic restaurants, reducing tax burden for small businesses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1585: Reinstates annual sales tax holiday for retail sales of computers, school computer supplies, school supplies, school art supplies, school instructional materials, and sport or recreation equipment.

This bill reinstates an annual sales tax exemption for specific school and recreational items purchased by individuals for non-business use. It exempts computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, school supplies (like notebooks and art materials), school instructional materials (textbooks, workbooks), and sport/recreation equipment (gloves, skates, etc.) during a defined 10-day period each year. The exemption period runs from 12:01 a.m. on the ninth day before the first Monday in September through 11:59 p.m. on that Monday. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to sales during exemption periods starting at least 30 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption on school/computer items during annual holiday, reducing sales tax burden for families. Aligns with tax relief support indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts school computers, supplies, and instructional materials from sales tax, reducing costs for families/schools and increasing access to educational resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Curriculum

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2735: Provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of fuel cell devices and systems and certain tangible personal property powered by fuel cells.

This bill (S 2735) exempts sales of fuel cell devices and systems from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It applies to devices that generate electricity from fuel without combustion (e.g., for heating, cooling, or power) and covers related tangible property. The exemption also extends to fuels like natural gas, propane, and hydrogen used in these systems. This directly benefits businesses and consumers purchasing fuel cell technology for energy use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts fuel cell device sales from state sales tax, providing direct tax relief to businesses and consumers purchasing clean energy technology.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts fuel cell devices from sales tax, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing costs for clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts fuel cell tech sales tax, promoting clean energy adoption and lower emissions through non-combustion electricity generation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1932: Suspends sales and use tax and societal benefits charge on electric and gas public utility bills during one year period beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026.

This bill suspends the state sales and use tax, plus the societal benefits charge, on electric and gas utility bills for all customers in New Jersey during 2026 (January 1-December 31). It directly affects residential and commercial utility ratepayers by removing these specific charges from their monthly bills. The key mechanism is a temporary exemption from two fees: the standard sales tax on utility services and the societal benefits charge (which funds clean energy programs and energy assistance). The suspension ends January 1, 2027, and does not alter the underlying utility rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSuspends utility taxes (sales/use tax and societal benefits charge), providing direct tax relief to residential/commercial customers in 2026.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergySuspends societal benefits charge funding clean energy programs, defunding initiatives that support renewable energy infrastructure and consumer assistance.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill suspends societal benefits charge (funds clean energy programs), directly defunding environmental initiatives despite tax suspension on utilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Renewable Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1619: Dedicates certain energy sales and use tax receipts to support utility assistance programs.

This bill (S 1619) directs excess revenue from New Jersey's energy sales and use taxes to fund utility assistance programs. Specifically, if annual energy tax collections exceed the 2025 baseline, the surplus must be deposited into the Universal Service Fund to support programs like the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program. It amends existing law to ensure these funds are dedicated exclusively to utility assistance, rather than other uses. The bill does not change current tax rates but redirects unspent revenue to help low-income households with energy costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects surplus energy tax revenue to utility assistance programs, increasing dedicated funding for essential services without raising tax rates.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDedicates excess energy tax revenue to utility assistance programs, protecting consumers from high energy costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 118: Requires installation of emergency power supply systems to certain common areas of new planned real estate developments; provides related tax incentives.

This bill requires new planned real estate developments in New Jersey to install emergency power systems in common areas like clubhouses, ensuring these spaces can function as shelters during extended power outages. It directly affects developers of new planned communities, mandating these systems meet specific safety standards (aligned with NFPA-110) for reliability and capacity. The bill also provides tax incentives: developers can deduct up to $10,000 of the system cost as an expense (not capital cost) and receive a rebate for sales tax paid on the equipment. These provisions aim to enhance community safety during emergencies while reducing financial burdens on developers through tax relief. (Note: Bill is pending, introduced January 13, 2026.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $10,000 tax deduction for developers, directly offering tax relief as part of the bill's incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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