New Jersey Assembly Bill A1311

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Extends certain federal income tax advantages of individual health savings accounts to individual taxpayers under the New Jersey gross income tax.

Impact

If enacted, A1311 will substantially alter how HSAs are treated within New Jersey's tax system, which previously did not offer the same tax benefits that federal law provides. This change is expected to incentivize participation in HSAs, allowing individuals to use these accounts for qualified medical expenses without incurring state income tax penalties. Furthermore, the bill aims to facilitate cost-effective healthcare access for residents, potentially lowering overall healthcare costs by promoting preventive care and routine medical expenditures through tax-advantaged savings.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1311 proposes to extend federal income tax advantages associated with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to individual taxpayers under New Jersey's gross income tax. The bill seeks to provide a gross income tax deduction for contributions made to HSAs and exempts withdrawals for qualified medical expenses from state taxation, thus aligning state tax policies with federal guidelines. This alignment is intended to encourage the use of HSAs among New Jersey residents, helping them to save for out-of-pocket medical expenses while taking advantage of tax benefits already available under federal law.

Contention

The bill could face contention from those who argue that expanding tax advantages for HSAs could disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals who are more likely to utilize HSAs for their healthcare expenses. Critics may point out that while HSAs provide tax savings, they also require individuals to have a high-deductible health plan, which may not be affordable for all residents. There may be discussions regarding the fairness of such tax changes, particularly in relation to lower-income families who may not have the discretionary funds to contribute to HSAs.