Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

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

A 3807: Exempts sales of pet food purchased for pets from the sales and use tax.

This bill exempts sales of pet food purchased for personal use by household pets from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects pet owners and businesses selling pet food, as they will no longer collect or pay tax on these items. The law defines "pet food" broadly to include feed, medicines, vitamins, and other commercially prepared products intended for domesticated animals kept in or near a household. The exemption applies to purchases made for individual pets, not commercial or agricultural use, and takes effect in the second calendar quarter following enactment. This is a straightforward tax change with no new government programs or complex requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts pet food sales from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for pet owners (middle/lower income households) as defined in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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

A 1850: Sets flat gross income tax rate at 5.9 percent tax for all taxable income over $37,500 or $75,000, depending on filing status; exempts taxpayers with less income from gross income tax.

This bill (A 1850) sets a flat 5.9% tax rate on New Jersey gross income above $37,500 for single filers or $75,000 for married couples filing jointly, while exempting all income below those thresholds from taxation. It directly affects New Jersey residents whose taxable income exceeds these filing-status-specific limits. The key provision replaces previous tiered tax brackets with a single flat rate for income above the exemption thresholds. This change simplifies the tax structure for higher earners while maintaining tax exemption for lower-income taxpayers. The bill was introduced in 2026 and referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts low/middle income from tax while applying flat rate to higher income, providing tax relief for lower earners and simplifying tax structure per fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax

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

A 2848: Dedicates certain energy sales and use tax receipts to support utility assistance programs.

This bill directs New Jersey to use excess revenue from energy sales and use taxes (above the 2025 fiscal year level) into the Universal Service Fund. The fund supports utility assistance programs like the Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric Program, which helps low-income households with energy costs. It specifically allocates funds when tax collections exceed the 2025 baseline, ensuring ongoing support for these programs. The policy directly affects utility assistance programs and the households they serve.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects excess energy tax revenue to utility assistance fund, ensuring ongoing funding for low-income energy cost programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirectly allocates excess energy tax revenue to utility assistance programs for low-income households, funding consumer support as specified in the bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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

A 302: Exempts cribs, child restraint systems, nursing bottles, and strollers from sales and use tax.

This New Jersey bill exempts specific baby products from state sales and use tax, directly affecting parents and caregivers who purchase these items. It removes tax from cribs, child restraint systems (like car seats meeting federal safety standards), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers. The law defines each product category clearly, such as strollers as non-motorized transport devices for infants. The exemption takes effect immediately upon enactment, aiming to reduce the cost of essential infant care items.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts essential baby products from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to parents/caregivers (middle/lower income) by reducing purchase costs for necessities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3326: Subjects most State property to local property taxation beginning on July 1, 2026.

S 3326 ends the tax-exempt status for most property owned by the State of New Jersey and its agencies/authorities, requiring them to pay local property taxes starting July 1, 2026. This affects State-owned buildings, land, and facilities (like offices or campuses) that were previously exempt, while leaving local government property (counties, schools) unchanged. The bill allows exceptions if a certification proves tax assessment would violate bondholder covenants signed before July 1, 2026, and requires State payments in lieu of taxes for those parcels. Delinquent taxes would be enforced like other property taxes, and the State cannot reduce municipal aid to offset these new tax payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnds tax exemption for state property, increasing local tax revenue by closing a loophole and promoting fiscal responsibility for state assets.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax

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

ACR 92: Proposes constitutional amendment to dedicate tax revenue from sale of recreational marijuana for property tax relief.

ACR 92 proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate revenue from New Jersey's recreational marijuana sales tax to property tax relief. It would create a special "Recreational Marijuana Sales Tax Account" within the Property Tax Relief Fund, requiring all annual marijuana tax revenue to be automatically placed there. This dedicated funding must be used exclusively for a uniform property tax credit for homeowners who live in their home as their primary residence and pay annual property taxes. The amendment requires voter approval before taking effect, as it would change the state constitution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDedicates marijuana tax revenue to property tax relief for primary homeowners, providing direct tax relief funding under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill dedicates marijuana tax revenue to property tax relief for primary residence homeowners, reducing housing costs and supporting affordability for homeowners.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Sales Tax Property Taxes

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

A 2702: Decreases sales and use tax rate from 6.625 to 6 percent.

This bill reduces New Jersey's general sales and use tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects all consumers and businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey, including retail purchases, certain services like installation and storage, and prepared food. The key change is a straightforward percentage reduction in the tax rate applied to eligible transactions under existing tax law. This policy update simplifies the tax structure by lowering the rate without altering the scope of taxable items. The change applies to all sales and services subject to the state's general sales tax as defined in current law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces sales tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, providing direct tax relief to consumers and businesses. This aligns with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income groups and promotes fiscal responsibility by simplifying tax structure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3550: Establishes annual four-day sales tax holiday after Thanksgiving.

This bill establishes an annual four-day sales tax holiday in New Jersey for physical goods purchased between 12:01 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving and 11:59 p.m. on the following Monday. It exempts retail sales of tangible personal property (physical goods) from the state sales tax during this period, directly affecting shoppers and retailers participating in the holiday shopping window. The key provision creates a fixed annual exemption period covering traditional holiday shopping days like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. The tax holiday applies automatically without requiring additional approvals during the specified dates each year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTemporary sales tax exemption during holiday shopping provides consumer tax relief, aligning with support indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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

A 2300: Provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of books at school book fairs.

This bill (A 2300) exempts sales of books at school book fairs from New Jersey's state sales tax. It directly affects elementary and secondary schools holding book fairs, defining a "school book fair" as an event selling books exclusively to students at that school and their parents or guardians. The exemption applies to receipts from these specific sales, removing the tax burden on book purchases during these school-organized events. The law takes effect four months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts school book fair book sales from state sales tax, providing tax relief for families and schools purchasing educational materials.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts school book fair sales from tax, reducing costs for schools/families and enhancing access to educational materials for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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

A 2672: Exempts protective face coverings from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts protective face coverings (such as medical masks and respirators) from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects individuals purchasing these items for personal use to protect against infection spread. The key provision adds "protective face coverings" as a specific item to the existing list of tax-exempt medical products under the Sales and Use Tax Act. The exemption applies to all face coverings designed or sold to protect wearers or others from illness transmission. The bill became effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts essential health items from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to individuals purchasing protective face coverings for personal health use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax

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