New Jersey Assembly Bill A2697

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/22
• Refer: 2/14/22

Caption

Excludes deferred compensation of certain public school and federal tax-exempt organization employees from current taxation under gross income tax.

Impact

The proposed changes are significant for employees of federally tax-exempt organizations including hospitals, educational institutions, and other charitable entities. Currently, these employees have fewer options for tax-deferred retirement savings compared to their counterparts in private businesses. A2697 aims to level the playing field by removing barriers that inhibit these public sector workers from maximizing their retirement savings in a manner consistent with federal guidelines. This progress is expected to encourage more participation in retirement saving plans, ultimately contributing to better financial security for employees in these sectors.

Summary

Bill A2697 seeks to amend existing state tax laws by excluding deferred compensation payments made by certain employees, specifically those working in public schools and federally tax-exempt organizations, from the state's gross income taxation. This modification aligns New Jersey's tax treatment of such compensation with that of federal law, allowing these employees to contribute to retirement savings plans under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code without immediate tax implications. By implementing this change, the bill is designed to provide public sector employees similar tax benefits that are already available to employees in for-profit sectors under Section 401(k).

Contention

Despite the bill’s intent to provide beneficial changes for public sector employees, there may be points of contention regarding the fiscal implications of such tax amendments on state revenue. Critics may argue that providing additional tax exemptions could strain the state’s income and affect funding for public programs. Supporters, however, contend that enabling deferred compensation will incentivize careers in public service, which is often challenging in terms of salary comparison to private sectors. The balance between encouraging public service through better retirement options and managing state tax revenues remains a complex discussion surrounding the bill.