Bill Text: NJ S1574 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes a gross income tax credit for attendance at New Jersey county colleges.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-13 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S1574 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-S1574-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JAMES BEACH
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes a gross income tax credit for attendance at New Jersey county colleges.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a gross income tax credit for taxpayers and their dependents attending New Jersey county colleges, supplementing Title 54A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A taxpayer who has paid one-half or more of the costs of tuition and maintenance of a dependent under the age of 22 years in attendance at a New Jersey county college shall be allowed a credit against the tax otherwise due pursuant to the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act," N.J.S.54A:1-1 et seq., in an amount equal to the amount of the costs of tuition and maintenance paid up to a maximum credit of $750 for a dependent in attendance on a full-time basis and in an amount equal to one-half of the amount of the costs of tuition and maintenance paid up to a maximum credit of $375 for a dependent in attendance on a part-time basis having completed at least six credits per semester. No credit shall be allowed under this subsection for a taxable year if the taxpayer has claimed a deduction for the dependent pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1976, c.84 (C.54A:3-1.1) for that taxable year.
b. A taxpayer who has paid costs of tuition and maintenance for the taxpayer's attendance at a New Jersey county college shall be allowed a credit against the tax otherwise due pursuant to the "New Jersey Gross Income Tax Act," N.J.S.54A:1-1 et seq., in an amount equal to the amount of the costs of tuition and maintenance paid up to a maximum credit of $750 for the taxpayer's attendance on a full time basis and in an amount equal to one-half of the amount of the costs of tuition and maintenance paid up to a maximum credit of $375 for the taxpayer's attendance on a part-time basis having completed at least six credits per semester. No credit shall be allowed under this subsection for a taxable year if the taxpayer in attendance at a county college is a dependent of another taxpayer who claims a credit for the taxpayer in attendance at a county college under subsection a. of this section for that taxable year.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill encourages greater opportunities for attendance at county colleges by establishing a $750 gross income tax credit for payment of tuition and maintenance costs for full time attendance, and a $375 credit for part-time attendance, at a New Jersey county college paid by a taxpayer either for a dependent under 22 years of age or for the taxpayer's own attendance at a county college. These tax credits provide tax savings that can be used to finance a significant portion of a county college student's tuition.
The county community college system, comprised of 19 institutions, provides access to higher education for a broad range of New Jersey residents who might otherwise be denied the benefits of a college education. This tax credit can provide a substantial financial subsidy for those taxpayers who are pursuing this gateway to a post-secondary education for themselves or their dependents.
