New Jersey Assembly Bill A881

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

"Made in New Jersey Tax Credit Act"; provides CBT tax credits to taxpayers that purchase "New Jersey made" products.

Impact

If enacted, A881 would have significant implications for state tax law by introducing a new category of tax credits targeted specifically at incentivizing the purchase of products manufactured within New Jersey. This could lead to increased economic activity within the state, as businesses might preferentially source local products to take advantage of the tax benefits. Additionally, the act is expected to support local jobs and production by encouraging businesses to invest in New Jersey-based supply chains.

Summary

Assembly Bill A881, known as the 'Made in New Jersey Tax Credit Act', seeks to incentivize local manufacturing by providing tax credits under the corporation business tax for businesses that purchase 'New Jersey made' products. The bill specifies that a taxpayer can claim a tax credit equal to 25% of the ratio of costs incurred in purchasing these local products compared to their total costs of all purchased products. This initiative aims to bolster the local economy and promote the purchase of in-state goods by reducing the tax burden on businesses that contribute to local manufacturing efforts.

Contention

While the intent of the bill is to encourage local production, there are potential areas of contention. Some critics may argue that the definition of 'New Jersey made' could limit market choices for businesses and lead to higher costs if adequate local alternatives are not available. Furthermore, the requirement that businesses can claim credit only if their costs for non-New Jersey products are below two-thirds of total expenses might create challenges for companies reliant on a diverse supply chain. This may also raise concerns about the effectiveness of such tax credits in genuinely boosting local manufacturing versus simply reshuffling existing purchasing patterns.