Budget & Taxes (Income Tax)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3498: Provides spouses of military servicemembers with gross income tax credit, up to $500, for professional relicensing fees incurred upon relocating to State.

This bill provides New Jersey military spouses with a refundable $500 gross income tax credit to offset professional relicensing fees incurred when relocating to the state due to a permanent military change of station order. It directly affects spouses of active-duty service members who must relicense in professions they previously held in another state, covering fees for state-required licenses or certifications. The credit applies only to fees paid within 13 months of the military relocation order and excludes costs for professions not requiring state licensing. The policy creates a direct financial relief mechanism for military families facing career interruption during relocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $500 refundable tax credit to military spouses, directly reducing tax liability for relocation costs, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2243: Expands eligibility under New Jersey earned income tax credit program to allow taxpayers who are victims of domestic abuse to claim credit with filing status of married filing separately.

This bill (NJ A2243) expands New Jersey's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) eligibility to include married individuals who are victims of domestic abuse and file as "married filing separately." It exempts these taxpayers from the usual requirement to file jointly to qualify for the credit, provided they meet three conditions: living apart from their spouse, unable to file jointly due to abuse, and marking their tax return accordingly. The change directly affects domestic abuse survivors who would otherwise lose access to the state EITC by filing separately. The policy ensures these individuals can claim the credit without being forced to file jointly with an abuser.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands EITC eligibility to domestic abuse survivors, providing targeted tax relief to low-income individuals and aligning with EITC's purpose of supporting lower-income taxpayers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4172: Provides gross income tax credit to certain totally and permanently disabled veterans for rent constituting property taxes.

This bill (A4172) creates a tax credit for New Jersey residents who are totally and permanently disabled veterans and pay rent for their primary residence. The credit equals rent payments that qualify as property taxes under existing law, reducing their gross income tax liability. To qualify, veterans must have a service-connected disability (e.g., paraplegia, blindness, or amputation) as certified by the U.S. Veterans Administration. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also claim the credit during their widowhood/widowerhood. The credit applies to rental housing occupied as a principal residence and is processed through the state tax authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing gross income tax liability for disabled veterans, qualifying as tax relief for lower-income group per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit reducing rent costs for disabled veterans, increasing housing affordability for a vulnerable group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax credit reducing gross income tax for disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities, directly advancing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Renters Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 643: Allows tax credits for employing members of NJ National Guard and members of reserve component of US Armed Forces.

This bill creates tax credits for New Jersey businesses that employ members of the New Jersey National Guard or reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces. Employers receive a $1,500 credit per service member not on deployment, or $2,500 for those who have completed deployment or returned from activation. The credits apply to both the corporation business tax and gross income tax, with specific rules for partnerships and S corporations. It directly affects New Jersey businesses hiring these service members, providing financial incentives based on their deployment status.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits reducing business tax liability for hiring military personnel, providing targeted tax relief within state tax system.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tax credits to employers hiring National Guard/reserve members, directly supporting veteran employment - a key veteran benefit category.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3295: Provides CBT and gross income tax credit for certain capital investments in film production facility.

This bill proposes a 30% tax credit against New Jersey's corporation business tax and gross income tax for businesses making qualifying capital investments in film production facilities. It directly affects film production companies that invest at least $30 million in facilities meeting specific size requirements (50,000+ square feet with one sound stage) during the 2020-2028 period. Key provisions include allowing tax credits to be transferred to other businesses for private financial assistance (at minimum 75% of value), capping annual credits at $100 million total, and requiring facility approval by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The credit applies only to new investments meeting the size and cost thresholds, not to existing facilities or other tax benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 30% tax credit against corporate/business tax for film investments, directly advancing tax relief for qualifying businesses per bill's tax credit structure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2680: Increases gross income tax relief based on rent constituting property taxes for residential tenants and establishes refundable gross income tax credit in place of gross income tax deduction for residential tenants.

This New Jersey bill replaces a tax deduction for residential tenants with a refundable tax credit. It allows tenants renting their primary residence to claim a credit equal to 30% of their rent (capped at $15,000 annually) for the portion of rent treated as property taxes. The credit is refundable, meaning any amount exceeding the tenant's tax bill is paid directly to them. It directly affects renters in qualifying housing, such as apartments and mobile home rentals, who use the property as their main home.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for renters, offering direct tax relief to middle/lower income tenants via 30% rent credit capped at $15k annually.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides refundable tax credit (30% rent, capped at $15k) for residential tenants, directly reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for renters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 567: Establishes "Veteran Obituary Fund."

This bill establishes a permanent "Veteran Obituary Fund" within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to cover costs for veterans' obituaries. Taxpayers can deduct donations to the fund (up to $50,000 annually) from their state income tax, with property donations over $500 requiring an independent appraisal. The fund accepts money or property donations from any source, which the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers to pay for veteran obituaries. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who donate to the fund and veterans' families, as it ensures obituary costs - averaging several hundred dollars - are covered without burdening families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state income tax deduction for donations to veteran obituary fund, offering tax relief to taxpayers as a fiscal incentive.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates dedicated fund to cover veterans' obituary costs with tax incentives, directly supporting veteran recognition services through state-administered funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3556: Allows gross income tax deduction for employees for amounts paid by employers for certain educational assistance programs for employees and for employee's student loans.

This New Jersey bill (A 3556) would allow employees to deduct from their gross income up to $5,250 annually in employer-paid educational assistance (like tuition, fees, or textbooks) and up to $5,250 in employer-paid student loan payments (principal or interest). It directly affects New Jersey employees who receive these benefits from their employers, matching the federal tax exclusion limit under Section 127 of the IRS code. The deduction applies to qualified higher education expenses (as defined by federal law) and student loans used for such expenses, excluding non-educational costs like hobbies. The bill is pending before the Assembly Higher Education Committee and would apply to taxable years starting after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for educational assistance/student loans, reducing taxable income for employees - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax deductions for employer-paid education expenses and student loans, expanding access to higher education for employees through financial relief.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands employee financial benefits by allowing tax deductions for employer-paid education/student loans, directly enhancing workplace compensation and professional development opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2223: Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services.

This bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's gross income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct part of their refund or add a contribution to the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund." Funds collected would be distributed equally each year to the three largest providers of reproductive health care services for Medicaid patients, to cover costs for low-income individuals seeking services. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to pregnancy or pregnancy termination. It applies to tax returns for years beginning after enactment, with no requirement for taxpayer participation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates voluntary tax contribution mechanism to fund reproductive health care services, directly advancing public program funding through tax revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates voluntary tax contributions to fund reproductive health care services for Medicaid patients, expanding access and increasing funding for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2665: Provides gross income tax deduction for costs of purchasing and installing battery backups for certain home solar electrical generators.

This bill allows New Jersey homeowners with solar generators in their primary residence to deduct up to $10,000 of the cost for purchasing and installing battery backup systems from their gross income tax. It directly affects homeowners who have installed solar panels and wish to add energy storage. The key provision creates a tax deduction for these specific battery backup costs, effective immediately for taxable years ending after enactment. The purpose is to incentivize battery storage so solar-powered homes can maintain electricity during power outages, as solar systems currently disconnect from the grid during outages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction (relief) for solar battery costs, directly modifying tax code to incentivize storage while reducing taxable income.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax deduction for solar battery storage, directly incentivizing renewable energy adoption and storage infrastructure expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Energy Storage Solar

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