Budget & Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2577: 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 expands New Jersey's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program to include victims of domestic abuse who file as "married filing separately." It removes the requirement for these taxpayers to file jointly with an abusive spouse to qualify for the credit, which they previously lost by filing separately. To claim the credit, victims must meet three conditions: living apart from their spouse when filing, being unable to file jointly due to domestic abuse, and indicating this on their tax return. The change aligns New Jersey's EITC rules with federal requirements for domestic abuse victims, ensuring they can access the credit without forcing them to remain in unsafe situations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands EITC eligibility for domestic abuse victims, providing tax relief to low-income taxpayers by removing filing barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1824: "New Jersey Neighborhood Homes Investment Act"; establishes gross income tax credit for certain residential development.

This bill creates a tax credit for developers building or renovating affordable housing in New Jersey. It directly affects project sponsors (developers) who construct or substantially renovate qualifying homes sold at affordable prices to eligible homeowners earning 140% or less of the state's median household income. The credit equals the difference between reasonable development costs and the affordable sale price, capped at 35% of development costs or 80% of the state's median new home price. To qualify, projects must be in designated census tracts and certified by the New Jersey Housing Agency, with homes sold as primary residences.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for affordable housing developers, reducing state revenue to incentivize homes for low-to-moderate income residents (≤140% median income), aligning with tax relief and essential housing funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for affordable housing development targeting 140% AMI, directly funding new affordable units through developer incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2370: Indexes for inflation taxable income brackets under New Jersey gross income tax.

This bill would automatically adjust New Jersey's income tax brackets for inflation each year, using the Consumer Price Index. It directly affects all New Jersey residents who pay state income tax, particularly middle-income earners who would otherwise face higher taxes due to inflation without these adjustments. The bill does not change current tax rates but ensures income thresholds (like $150,000) rise with inflation to prevent "bracket creep," where inflation alone pushes taxpayers into higher tax brackets. This mechanism maintains the tax structure's original intent over time without requiring annual legislative action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents 'bracket creep' for middle-income earners by automatically adjusting tax brackets for inflation, providing tax relief without changing rates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 879: Provides gross income tax deduction for costs of purchasing and installing whole house backup electrical generator for resident taxpayer's principal residence.

S 879 allows New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct the full cost of purchasing and installing a qualifying whole-house backup generator at their primary residence from their gross income. The generator must be natural gas or propane-powered, permanently connected to the home's electrical system, and only activate during power outages - meeting all state and local installation requirements. This deduction applies to the taxable year when the generator was bought and installed. The bill directly affects homeowners seeking to offset costs for backup power systems, with no other provisions or requirements beyond the tax deduction mechanism. (Bill: S 879, New Jersey Statutes Title 54A)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax deduction for home generator costs, reducing taxable income for residents, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2350: Makes supplemental appropriation of $3,000,000 to Division on Civil Rights.

S 2350 provides an additional $3 million in state funding specifically for the New Jersey Bias Investigation Access System (NJ BIAS) within the Division on Civil Rights (DCR). This supplemental appropriation directly affects the DCR and all state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies that use the NJ BIAS system to track bias crimes. The funds are required to update the system's technology to ensure consistent and uniform tracking of bias incidents across all law enforcement levels. The bill mandates that any unspent funds at year-end carry forward for the same purpose, with no change to existing civil rights enforcement authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $3M supplemental appropriation for civil rights system, advancing state budget allocation for public service infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds NJ BIAS system for tracking bias crimes, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil rights protection in criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $3M to update NJ BIAS system's technology for consistent bias incident tracking, enhancing data management infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Civil Rights Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1229: Establishes county veteran transportation grant program; removes certain restrictions to the current veterans transportation assistance program; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a program to reimburse county governments for providing transportation services to disabled veterans traveling to medical appointments at Veterans Affairs facilities in New Jersey or neighboring states. It removes a previous restriction requiring appointments to be specifically for service-connected conditions, expanding eligibility to all VA medical appointments. The bill appropriates $2 million from the state budget to fund this program through the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. It directly affects disabled veterans (defined as those with a VA-certified service-connected disability) and county governments offering transportation services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2 million from state budget to fund veteran transportation program, directly advancing fiscal support for essential services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to VA medical appointments by removing eligibility restrictions and appropriating $2M for transportation services, directly improving patient access to healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds $2M for veteran transportation services to VA facilities, expanding access and creating a reimbursement program for county transportation services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands VA medical transportation access for all disabled veterans by removing service-connected restriction and appropriates $2M for state-funded program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1602: Establishes disabled veteran tenant gross income tax credit.

This bill creates a tax credit for disabled veterans who rent their primary residence (homestead), allowing them to claim a credit of up to $1,000 annually for the portion of their rent that covers property taxes. The credit applies to rent paid for residential rental units where the disabled veteran occupies the home as their primary residence, based on 18% of rent being considered equivalent to property taxes. Married disabled veterans filing separately can each claim half the credit, while those sharing the home with others (not their spouse) can only claim the credit for the rent they personally paid. The credit is nonrefundable, cannot reduce taxes below zero, and works alongside an existing $50 credit for older or disabled renters. The bill is pending in the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee as of its introduction date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for disabled veterans renting, providing direct tax relief to lower-income renters. Matches 'support' criteria of tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit to disabled veterans renting homes, reducing housing costs for a vulnerable group, aligning with affordable housing support90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax credit for disabled veterans' housing costs, expanding financial benefits for a specific veteran subgroup through direct tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1656: Provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for employers of certain persons with disabilities.

This bill, S 1656, provides New Jersey employers with a tax credit for hiring individuals with disabilities. Employers can claim a 15% credit on wages paid to qualifying employees (meeting ADA standards, working ≥35 hours/week at ≥$15/hour), capped at $2,000 per employee annually for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, employers must apply for certification through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which must approve applications within 90 days or the application is deemed approved. The credit directly affects New Jersey businesses that hire eligible workers with disabilities, reducing their state tax liability while promoting inclusive employment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits reducing employer tax liability for hiring disabled workers, directly using fiscal policy to incentivize employment and support budget management through targeted tax relief.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit for hiring disabled workers, advancing employment opportunities and expanding workforce inclusion per ADA standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Professional Licensing Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3032: Establishes "Guaranteed Income Pilot Program" in DOLWD for residents of certain cities.

This bill establishes a two-year guaranteed income pilot program in seven New Jersey cities (Paterson, Passaic City, Jersey City, Plainfield, Newark, Trenton, and Camden). It would provide $500 monthly for 18 months to 500 randomly selected low-income residents per city - those with household income under $80,000 in the prior year and no more than one participant per household. The program requires the state Treasury and Labor departments to collect economic data and voluntary participant surveys on spending habits and financial changes. A final report detailing findings and recommendations must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within 10 months of the pilot’s conclusion. The bill focuses on studying the program’s effects without imposing conditions on recipients.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($500/month for 18 months) to fund a guaranteed income pilot program for low-income residents, directly advancing government spending on essential social support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides direct financial support ($500/month) to low-income residents, expanding economic benefits and addressing income insecurity within labor & employment framework.95% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1887: Permits farm income averaging credit under the New Jersey gross income tax.

This bill allows New Jersey farmers with a farming business to calculate their state income tax using averaged farming income over a four-year period (current year plus three prior base years). The tax credit equals the difference between their normal tax bill and the bill calculated with averaged income, capped at $5,000 annually. It directly affects farmers whose income fluctuates due to weather, market conditions, or production cycles. The policy aims to smooth tax payments across profitable and less profitable years, providing more predictable tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit to smooth payments for farmers, reducing tax burden during fluctuating income years, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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