This bill (A 2955) proposes tax incentives for New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities. It would allow employers to claim credits against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, including: 30% of the first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability during their first year (20% in the second year), up to $600 for work-related transportation costs, and small business access improvement credits. The credits would apply only to employees certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the federal ADA definition of disability. The bill is pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.
S 3551 would amend New Jersey's gross income tax law to allow employees of public schools and federal tax-exempt organizations (such as hospitals, churches, and social service groups) to exclude their retirement savings contributions from current taxable income. Currently, New Jersey permits this tax deferral for employees of private businesses but not for these specific retirement plans used by tax-exempt organizations. The bill extends the same tax treatment to these employees by aligning New Jersey's rules with federal tax code provisions for retirement savings. This change would take effect for taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.
This bill creates a New Jersey state tax deduction for businesses that donate food from their inventory to qualified charities. It allows taxpayers to deduct the same amount for state income tax as they could claim under federal tax rules (as of December 2013) for donations of "apparently wholesome" food - meaning food meeting safety standards but unsellable due to appearance, age, or surplus. The deduction applies regardless of whether the business claims a federal charitable deduction. It directly affects New Jersey businesses that donate excess food inventory to IRS-qualified charitable organizations.
This bill would create a refundable tax credit for New Jersey residents who make extra principal payments on their primary home mortgage beyond the required minimums. The credit equals 50% of the excess payments (up to $1,000 annually) for mortgages on a primary residence that qualify as "traditional" (15-30 year loans with level payments). It applies only to single filers with income between $125,000-$135,000 or joint filers with income between $250,000-$270,000, with the credit amount reduced based on income in these ranges. The credit cannot be claimed for more than 10 consecutive tax years.
This bill provides New Jersey taxpayers with a refundable tax credit of up to $500 per year for costs paid to high-impact tutors. It directly affects individual taxpayers who use tutoring services proven to significantly improve student learning through research, as defined in the bill. The credit applies to the tax year the tutoring is received, and if it reduces a taxpayer’s total tax liability to zero, the remaining credit amount is paid as a cash refund. The credit is limited to one claim per married couple filing separately.
This bill allows retired teachers who left the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to return to public school teaching for up to two years without rejoining the pension fund. School boards must prove they searched for other candidates and that the retired teacher is the only qualified person, and the teacher’s salary must be 40-70% of the median teacher pay in that district. Retired teachers rehired under this bill receive a 50% tax deduction on their rehired salary, with the remaining income taxed at a flat 1.4% rate (instead of standard rates), provided the retirement was genuine and not prearranged. The bill explicitly prohibits tenure or seniority rights during this reemployment period.
This bill allows New Jersey residents with an E-ZPass account to deduct up to $1,000 annually from their state gross income for tolls paid on state toll roads or connecting bridges/tunnels (like those operated by the Port Authority or Delaware River Joint Tollbridge Commission), provided their total E-ZPass tolls exceed $1,000 in a year. It excludes tolls paid as fines, penalties, administrative fees, or amounts reimbursed by employers or already deductible as business expenses. The deduction applies to tolls paid for any household member’s vehicle operation on eligible toll routes. The provision became effective for taxable years beginning January 1, 2017.
This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct 50% of donations of $100 or more made to qualified domestic violence shelters from their gross income. It directly affects taxpayers who contribute to shelters meeting Department of Human Services standards under the Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence Act. To qualify, shelters must verify compliance with these standards to the Division of Taxation. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date. The bill does not change shelter funding directly but incentivizes donations through tax benefits.
This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct union dues paid to labor organizations from their gross income when filing state taxes. It directly affects workers who pay dues to labor organizations (such as unions or employee representation groups) that negotiate on issues like wages, hours, or working conditions. To claim the deduction, taxpayers must provide proof of dues paid to the state tax authority. The bill defines "union dues" broadly to include all required membership fees, assessments, or charges paid to these organizations.
This New Jersey bill creates a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 per year for residents who owe at least $5,000 in student loans from a qualifying institution of higher education. To qualify, taxpayers must have accumulated $20,000 in student debt for education expenses and submit proof of loan payments with their tax return. The credit must be used to repay student loans within two years of receiving it, with priority given to low-income residents and New Jersey graduates. Annual funding is capped at $10 million to cover refunds when the credit reduces tax liability to zero.
