Allows gross income tax deduction for amounts paid for removal of lead, asbestos, sodium, chloride, and other contaminants from taxpayer's property.
The bill is framed as a response to rising concerns about the health impacts of lead exposure, especially in homes where children reside. With lead and asbestos being identified as major neurotoxins and health risks, proponents argue that facilitating financial relief through tax deductions will encourage homeowners to undertake potentially costly but necessary remediation projects. This initiative is particularly significant for families with incomes above the 80% area median income threshold, who currently face challenges in accessing state and federal aid programs. Although the bill provides a financial incentive, it seeks to lessen the financial burden on households that might otherwise have to resort to second mortgages or loans to fund these necessary improvements.
Assembly Bill A799 aims to address significant health hazards related to lead and asbestos exposure, as well as contamination from sodium and chloride in private well water. The bill allows taxpayers in New Jersey to deduct up to $45,000 from their gross income for eligible expenses incurred in the removal of these hazardous materials from their properties. The cost eligible for deduction includes lead-based paint abatement, asbestos removal, replacement of lead service lines, as well as remediation of lead-contaminated soil, among others. It also addresses concerns regarding water contamination due to road salt and the effects of sodium and chloride on household plumbing and potential health risks.
Some lawmakers may express concerns over the fiscal implications of the proposed tax deductions. This includes potential impacts on state revenues and the fairness of extending such benefits to all taxpayers, regardless of income level. Critics might argue that the bill does not adequately address preventive strategies against contamination, instead focusing merely on remediation. Additionally, the requirement for municipalities to issue affidavits may pose a bureaucratic hurdle for homeowners attempting to claim these deductions, leading to questions about the practicality and efficiency of the implementation process.