This bill (A 232) creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey's gross income tax for businesses that spend money on research and development (R&D) activities conducted within New Jersey. It directly affects companies subject to New Jersey's gross income tax that incur qualified R&D expenses or make basic research payments, including those that previously couldn't claim the federal R&D credit. The credit is calculated similarly to the federal version but only applies to R&D done in New Jersey, and it cannot be used for expenses already covered by other tax benefits. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. The goal is to incentivize in-state R&D investment to support technological and economic growth.
This bill creates a New Jersey tax credit for farmers to smooth their tax payments by averaging farming income over four years. It allows farmers to calculate their tax using a four-year average of farming income (current year plus the previous three years, adjusting for losses or years without farming), then compares that to the tax calculated without averaging. The credit equals the difference between these two tax amounts, but cannot exceed $5,000 annually. This helps New Jersey farmers manage financial volatility from seasonal factors like weather or market fluctuations, without changing tax rates or creating new obligations.
This bill revises New Jersey's tax brackets for married couples filing jointly (and similar taxpayers like heads of household), raising the threshold for the lowest tax rate from $20,000 to $40,000 for 2020+ tax years. It directly affects married couples filing jointly by reducing their tax burden on income between $20,000-$40,000 annually, eliminating a previously higher tax rate that disproportionately impacted these filers. The key change updates Section 54A:2-1, subsection (a)(7), shifting the first tax bracket to apply to income under $40,000 (previously $20,000) and adjusting subsequent rates accordingly. This policy change specifically targets the "marriage penalty" where joint filers paid more tax than separate filers at certain income levels.
This bill creates a New Jersey gross income tax credit for active members of volunteer fire departments, first aid squads, and rescue organizations who use personal vehicles for emergency duties. Eligible members receive a credit based on miles driven for emergency response, calculated using the IRS standard mileage rate (capped at $500 per individual or $1,000 for married couples filing jointly). To qualify, members must maintain active status, complete required service hours (400+ hours or attendance thresholds), and provide documentation through their organization. The credit directly reimburses volunteers for vehicle-related costs incurred while serving their communities.
This bill creates the "NJ Highlands Tax Fairness Fund" to allow residents in eight specific municipalities (Bloomsbury, Byram, Califon, Glen Gardner, Kinnelon, Lebanon, Ringwood, and West Milford) to redirect 10% of their New Jersey gross income tax - after credits for taxes paid to other jurisdictions - to their local government. Funds collected through this designation must be used exclusively to reduce property tax levies for residents in those municipalities. The program ensures these funds are distributed proportionally based on contributions and count as additional state aid, separate from other funding streams. It applies only to municipalities where 95% or more of land lies within the Highlands preservation area.
This bill allows homeowners in New Jersey to claim a 25% tax credit against their state income tax for costs of rehabilitating qualified historic properties. It directly affects homeowners who own and occupy as their primary residence a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, or a locally designated historic district. To qualify, rehabilitation costs must equal at least 50% of the property's equalized assessed value, with no more than 60% of costs covering interior work, and the total credit for a property is capped at $25,000 over ten years. The credit reduces the homeowner's tax liability for the year the credit is certified, with excess amounts refunded as overpayments.
This New Jersey bill allows businesses to claim a tax credit equal to 10% of wages paid to employees with developmental disabilities (verified by the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities). The credit is capped at $3,000 per employee and $60,000 total per business annually for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. Businesses cannot claim this credit for the same employee if they also claim credits under existing disability employment programs. The credit applies to wages paid for any employment setting, not just specialized workshops.
This bill (A4057) creates the "Indigent Veterans’ Burial Services Fund" in New Jersey's Treasury. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their state tax refund or make a separate payment when filing their gross income tax return, directing funds to cover burial or cremation costs for indigent veterans. The fund specifically supports veterans who lack resources for burial - such as homeless veterans or those with abandoned remains - beyond the current system where counties cover up to $250 and the state provides additional funding up to $1,250. All collected contributions must be annually appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for these burial expenses.
This bill establishes a regional farm wage in New Jersey by averaging agricultural wage data from Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. Farm employers who pay workers at least this regional wage qualify for tax credits against their business and gross income taxes, calculated based on the amount paid above the current state farm wage but not below the regional rate. The credits can be carried forward for up to four years if not fully used in the current tax period. This policy directly affects New Jersey farm employers who hire workers on a piece-rate or hourly basis for farm labor.
This bill allows New Jersey's County Agriculture Development Boards to create a program accepting donated farmland from commercial farmers and leasing it to new farmers residing in the state. It also establishes a tax credit for donating land, capped at $100,000 or the value of the donated portion (calculated as a share of the farm's assessed value based on the donated acreage). To qualify for leased land, new farmers must meet board-established criteria, including New Jersey residency. Donors must apply for certification through the board to claim the tax credit, which is processed by the Division of Taxation.
