S 2058 would amend New Jersey's tax code to exclude tips from gross income tax calculations. The bill removes tips from the list of taxable income categories in the state's definition of gross income, meaning tips earned by workers would no longer be subject to state income tax. This change would directly affect individuals who rely on tips for income, such as restaurant servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers. As a result, these workers would have a lower taxable income and potentially pay less in state income tax.
This New Jersey bill (S 2277) eliminates sales tax on specific baby products and sunscreen. It exempts baby wash, shampoos, lotions, powders, car seats, cribs, nursing supplies, and strollers from the state sales tax. It also exempts sunscreen regulated by the FDA for UV protection (excluding cosmetic products). The exemption applies to retail purchases starting October 1, 2025, directly reducing costs for parents buying essential baby items and sunscreen.
This bill prohibits properties that received benefits under the "Grow New Jersey Assistance Act" (2011) or the "New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009" from qualifying for property tax exemptions or abatements under two specific laws: the "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" and the "Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law." It directly affects property owners who used state economic incentive programs to develop or improve their properties, preventing them from receiving additional tax breaks. The bill states that these properties have already benefited from public funding, so municipalities should not provide further tax advantages through the targeted exemption laws. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill (S 64) prevents New Jersey school districts that are spending below the state's adequacy standard from facing state aid reductions under existing law. It directly affects all public school districts and county vocational school districts meeting this spending threshold, regardless of their district type (SDA or non-SDA). The key mechanism eliminates the scheduled aid reductions for these districts by exempting them from the reduction schedule outlined in P.L.2018, c.67, ensuring they receive full state aid without cuts. The bill applies to the 2019-2020 through 2024-2025 school years.
This bill (S 982) modifies New Jersey's retirement income tax exclusion to help seniors aged 62+ who work part-time. It allows individuals with retirement income to exclude that income from taxable income even if they earned over $3,000 from part-time employment (defined as less than 30 hours/week), which previously disqualified them. The exclusion amount is reduced based on part-time earnings: subtracting (2,000 × minimum wage) and any other claimed exclusion. It specifically excludes those working full-time (30+ hours/week) from this provision. The bill affects New Jersey retirees with modest part-time income who would otherwise lose their retirement tax benefit.
This Senate resolution (SR 25) urges New Jersey to fully fund state reimbursements for school districts' extraordinary special education costs, as required by the 2008 School Funding Reform Act (SFRA). It specifically addresses the current shortfall where districts were eligible for $585.4 million in reimbursements for 2022-2023 but received only $420 million (71.7% of entitlement), affecting districts serving students with disabilities whose costs exceed $40,000 (public schools) or $55,000 (private schools). The resolution emphasizes that full funding is needed to help districts cover high costs for vulnerable students and stabilize budgets without shifting burdens to local taxpayers. It does not create new law but calls on the state to meet its existing legal obligation under the SFRA.
This bill updates New Jersey's property tax deduction program for seniors and disabled residents. It increases the annual income limit for eligibility from $10,000 to $20,000 for 2023, and adjusts this limit each year thereafter based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for cost-of-living, rounded to the nearest $100. The deduction amount itself remains fixed at $250 annually. This change directly affects New Jersey residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled with income under the new threshold who own or reside in qualifying property.
The SAFE Act (S 1915) creates a New Jersey scholarship program to help low-income teens aged 16-17 cover the cost of a required six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course. It appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to provide scholarships covering the full course cost or $500 (whichever is less) for eligible residents from households at or below twice the federal poverty level. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, pass a written driving exam, and meet income requirements. The program, administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission, will award scholarships on a rolling basis as funds allow, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee.
This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct up to $1,500 of charitable contributions made to qualifying New Jersey animal shelters from their state gross income tax. It specifically defines "animal shelter" as a licensed facility caring for abandoned, lost, or endangered domestic animals until adoption, relocation, or euthanasia, including municipal animal control facilities. The deduction applies to donations made in a taxable year to shelters meeting these criteria. The policy change takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.
This bill exempts from New Jersey's inheritance tax the value of certain restitution payments received by Holocaust survivors and their eligible descendants during their lifetime. Specifically, it covers payments for assets stolen, hidden, or lost during Nazi persecution (including insurance proceeds or legal settlements), when transferred to beneficiaries after the survivor's death. The exemption applies to the market value of these payments as determined at the time they were received. It directly affects Holocaust survivors and their lineal descendants up to two generations removed, ensuring these restitution funds are not taxed when passed on.
