Budget & Taxes (Tax Credits)

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

A 4129: Doubles amount of State child tax credit; raises age and income eligibility criteria needed to receive credit.

This bill would expand New Jersey's child tax credit by doubling the maximum credit amount (from $1,000 to $2,000 per child), raising the age limit for eligible children from under 6 to under 18, and increasing the income threshold from $80,000 to $150,000 for eligibility. Taxpayers with incomes under $30,000 would receive $2,000 per child, with the credit gradually decreasing to $800 for incomes between $130,000 and $150,000. It affects New Jersey residents with children under 18 who file state tax returns, including those using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. The changes apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit for lower/middle-income families, providing direct tax relief and increasing state fiscal support for child care through higher credit amounts and broader eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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

A 2494: "New Jersey Works Act"; concerns businesses and pre-employment training programs; provides tax credit to businesses supporting pre-employment training programs; appropriates $1 million.

The New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit to businesses for training programs targeting low-income individuals and appropriates $1M, directly advancing fiscal support for workforce initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid pre-employment training at minimum wage for low/moderate-income workers via tax credit, advancing employment opportunities and job readiness skills.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Apprenticeships Minimum Wage Workforce Development

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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 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 3846: "Road to Tax Relief Act"; provides credit for sales tax remittances for businesses impacted by public highway projects, including Interstate 80 project; provides tax credits for certain businesses and persons impacted by same projects; makes appropriation.

This bill provides tax relief to small retail businesses (50 or fewer full-time employees) located in areas affected by public highway construction projects, such as the I-80 project. It creates two main credits: (1) a refundable credit against sales tax remittances for businesses in impacted zones during construction, and (2) a credit against business privilege tax based on verified revenue loss. Businesses must apply for approval, document their impact, and claim credits during the project’s active "relief period" (from start to completion). The credits are limited to 50% of tax liability and expire after seven years if unused.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credits for small businesses impacted by highway projects, directly reducing their tax burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides tax relief for businesses impacted by highway construction (I-80), directly supporting transportation infrastructure project implementation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Credits Roads & Highways

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

A 1272: Expands eligibility for gross income tax credit to family caregivers of certain armed service members with physical disabilities.

This bill expands New Jersey's gross income tax credit for family caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities. It allows caregivers to qualify if the veteran has any service-connected disability (not limited to post-9/11 conflicts), provided the veteran meets other existing requirements like honorable discharge, VA disability rating, and six months of residency with the caregiver in New Jersey. The credit equals 100% of the veteran's federal disability compensation, up to $675 per year, and is refundable if it reduces tax liability to zero. It directly affects New Jersey family caregivers (with income limits of $50,000 single/$100,000 joint filers) who support veterans with disabilities from any military service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit eligibility, providing direct tax relief to caregivers (100% of veteran's disability comp up to $675), aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax credit for caregivers of veterans with disabilities, increasing financial support without restricting eligibility to post-9/11 conflicts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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

A 1484: Provides gross income tax credit to certain taxpayers who pay for certain in-home services through health care service firm.

This New Jersey bill provides a 20% refundable tax credit for eligible residents who pay for in-home care services through a health care service firm. It directly affects taxpayers with gross income under $150,000 who are permanently disabled or age 65+, covering expenses for companion services (non-medical supervision/socialization), health care services (non-licensed), or personal care services (assisting with daily activities like bathing or dressing). The credit excludes insurance-reimbursed costs and applies against income tax after other credits. It takes effect for taxable years starting after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for lower-income disabled/elderly, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief for targeted group under $150k income.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides refundable tax credit for in-home care services (non-medical), improving affordability/access for disabled/elderly, directly expanding healthcare service access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Long-Term Care

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