QUIJANO, TUCKER & DEANGELO BILL EXCLUDING MILITARY COMBAT ZONE PAY FROM NJ INCOME TAX PASSES COMMITT

In an effort to provide tax relief to New Jersey military members, three Assembly Democrats sponsor a bill that would exclude military pay for service in a combat zone from state income tax requirements. If injured in combat, a service member’s military pay would also be exempt during the period of time they are hospitalized for the injury.

Military pay is already exempt from federal income taxation during any month the member is serving in a combat zone or hospitalized for combat injuries. This bill (A-2481) would bring New Jersey’s taxation policy in line with existing federal policy.

The Assembly Budget Committee advanced the measure Tuesday. Upon its passage, Assembly Democrat sponsors Annette Quijano (D-Union), Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex) issued the following joint statement:

“Every year, New Jersey residents are deployed to countries throughout the world to fight on behalf of America. Those military members serving in combat zones risk their lives in defense of our country. It is only right we honor their courage and sacrifice by exempting the pay they earn during that time period as well as any time spent in a hospital for injuries sustained in combat from state income taxes. Here in our New Jersey, we value the service of our military members and veterans.”