New Jersey
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC)
Rate (Fully-Refundable): 40% as of September 2020
Eligibility Requirements: All New Jersey taxpayers who qualify for the federal credit are automatically eligible and workers between the ages of 21 and 25.
Latest Legislative Action:
- In September 2020, New Jersey enacted a state budget for Fiscal Year 2021 that lowered the age of eligibility for the state EITC from 25 to 21.
Notes:
- In July 2018, New Jersey enacted a state budget for Fiscal Year 2019 that included an expansion of the state’s EITC from 35 to 40 percent of the federal credit, phased in over 3 years.
- In October 2016, a gas tax increase to fund New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund was coupled with an increase to the state’s EITC from 30 to 35 percent of the federal credit.
- During his first year in office in 2010, Gov. Christie’s administration successfully pushed for a reduction in the state EITC from 25% to 20% of the federal credit. The governor line-item vetoed a 2011 budget that would have restored the state EITC to 25%, but pledged to reverse course in his 2012 State of the State address.
- In 2012, 2013, and 2014, Gov. Christie again vetoed budget deals which would have restored the EITC because they did not satisfy all of his desired tax and minimum wage proposals.
- In July of 2015, Gov. Chris Christie surprised many by going beyond a proposed increase in the state’s EITC to 25% of the federal credit and requesting a greater expansion to 30% in the final budget package later signed into law.
CHILD TAX CREDIT (CTC)
New Jersey does not currently offer a state-level CTC.
CHILD AND DEPENDENT CARE TAX CREDIT (CDCTC)
Rate: 50 percent of the federal credit for those making up to $20,000 annually; 40 percent for those making between $20,000 and $30,000; 30 percent for those making between $30,000 and $40,000; 20 percent for those making between $40,000 and $50,000; and 10 percent for those making between $50,000 and $60,000. The maximum amount that can be deducted is $500 for one child or dependent, and $1,000 for two or more.
Latest Legislative Action: In July 2018, New Jersey enacted a state budget for Fiscal Year 2019 that included the creation of a state-level Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for households earning less than $60,000.