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 requires Rutgers' Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy to study how local governments in New Jersey can deliver services more efficiently. The study will examine seven specific service areas - including municipal courts, fire code enforcement, property tax assessments, public works, and emergency services - to identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining service quality. The school must complete a report with recommendations for the Governor and Legislature within one year, using $30,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund. The goal is to inform potential policy changes that could reduce New Jersey's high property tax burden, which the Legislature identifies as a priority. This study directly affects all local government units (municipalities, counties, and special districts) responsible for delivering these services.
This bill removes the State Treasurer's authority to annually adjust the tax rates on petroleum products based on changing fuel prices. It freezes the tax rates at levels determined by 2016 data, eliminating future quarterly or annual adjustments tied to average retail fuel prices. This directly affects petroleum companies that pay the tax on gasoline, diesel, and other fuels, as their tax burden will no longer automatically change with market prices. The bill ensures tax rates remain fixed at the 2016 benchmark, preventing future adjustments by the Treasurer.
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 changes how New Jersey school districts calculate their local share for state school funding. It requires using a five-year average of each district's equalized property valuation (instead of just the previous year's value) in the formula that determines state aid. This directly affects all public school districts and county vocational school districts when calculating their state funding. The change takes effect for the 2024-2025 school year, making the funding calculation more stable by smoothing out annual property value fluctuations.
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.
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 bill eliminates three specific fees on commercial real estate transactions: a supplemental realty transfer fee, a one percent fee on transfers of certain commercial properties, and a tax on the sale of controlling interests in certain commercial real property. It directly affects commercial property buyers and sellers by removing these costs for transactions meeting defined criteria under New Jersey law. The bill achieves this by amending and repealing sections of existing statutes (P.L.1968, c.49 and P.L.2004, c.66) that established these fees. This change reduces financial burdens for commercial real estate transfers without altering other property tax structures.
This bill establishes an annual $15,000 death benefit for families of New Jersey forest firefighters who die while performing volunteer duties in the line of duty. The benefit applies specifically to hourly-paid firefighters employed by the forest fire service, with payments going first to a surviving spouse, then to children, parents, or a designated beneficiary if no closer relatives exist. Payments must be requested within 30 days of the death (with possible waiver by the Environmental Protection Commissioner) and are funded from the State General Fund. The benefit continues until the initial beneficiary dies and cannot be transferred to others.
