This bill would exempt from New Jersey's sales and use tax the purchase of rapid or laboratory viral tests (including molecular and antigen tests) and antibody tests used to detect infections like SARS-CoV-2. It directly affects consumers and businesses buying these specific medical tests for infection screening. The exemption applies to sales occurring after the bill's effective date, removing a cost barrier for these diagnostic tools. This policy change aims to make infection testing more affordable by eliminating state sales tax on qualifying tests.
This bill exempts surviving spouses and civil union partners of disabled veterans from home sale fees in New Jersey. Specifically, it applies when the veteran qualified for a property tax exemption due to wartime disability at the time of death. The exemption covers both the basic realty transfer fee and the supplemental fee for sales of one- or two-family homes owned and occupied by the survivor. This extends an existing disability-related exemption to veterans' survivors, who previously did not qualify unless they themselves met the disability criteria.
This bill provides a $250 annual state income tax credit to homeowners within 1,000 feet of Barnegat Bay who replace grass lawns with stone, crushed shells, or similar non-maintenance landscaping. It directly affects property owners in that zone, including those who already made the switch before the bill's effective date. The credit aims to reduce chemical runoff (like fertilizers and pesticides) from lawns into the bay by incentivizing low-maintenance alternatives. The policy change is a direct tax incentive, not a regulatory mandate, for eligible homeowners to adopt environmentally friendly landscaping.
This bill allows certain New Jersey municipalities - specifically those in urban enterprise zones (current or former) - to adopt a "land-based property tax system" where improvements (like buildings) are taxed at a lower rate than the land they sit on. Other municipalities may apply for approval to implement this system after seven years, but must meet standards preventing its use in areas primarily dedicated to open space, farmland, or environmental preservation. The system permits gradual phase-in of tax rate differences and allows municipalities to revert to a single tax rate if desired. The goal is to encourage redevelopment of vacant urban land by making property improvements more financially attractive to owners, potentially increasing housing and economic activity in targeted areas.
ACR 75 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow New Jersey municipalities to offer a partial property tax exemption of up to 15% on the assessed value of a primary residence for eligible volunteer first responders. It would require municipalities to pass an ordinance to implement the exemption, with each municipality deciding whether to offer it and the exact percentage (up to 15%). The exemption would apply only to active members of volunteer fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that specific municipality, and the home must be their primary residence within that municipality. If approved by voters, the Legislature would then need to pass a law enabling this program.
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.
ACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to create partial property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and first responders' primary homes. It would authorize cities or towns to pass local ordinances providing exemptions of up to 10% of a home's assessed value for active volunteer members of fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that municipality. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of eligible volunteers, with municipalities deciding the exact percentage (up to 10%) and the state not required to reimburse lost tax revenue. This amendment must be approved by voters before it can take effect.
ACR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence of a surviving spouse from property taxes if their law enforcement officer spouse was killed in the line of duty. This would directly affect surviving spouses of eligible officers who own and occupy their home as their primary residence and do not remarry. The exemption would remain in effect until the spouse remarries or stops occupying the home as their primary residence. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval after legislative passage.
ACR 52 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual increases in the assessed value of primary residences in New Jersey for property tax purposes. It would cap annual increases at the lower of 3% of the prior year's value or the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The amendment requires a full property tax exemption for the first $25,000 of a home's assessed value and an exemption from non-school district property taxes on the next $25,000. These changes would apply to homeowners using their property as a principal residence and require voter approval before implementation.
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.
