Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 5 co-sponsors

The bill creates a state-administered property tax rebate for NJ veterans with service-connected disabilities (10%–90%), up to $5,000 annually, with income and rental adjustments.

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

#disabled #propertytax #veterans

Purpose

S 3084 establishes a State-administered property tax rebate program for veterans with service‑connected disabilities. The rebate is intended to extend property tax relief to veterans with partial disability ratings (i.e., less than 100% total and permanent), who are not already fully exempt from property taxes under existing law.

Key provisions

Rebate amount: A veteran receives a rebate equal to the percentage of property taxes paid that matches the veteran’s service‑connected disability rating as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (10%–90%).

Maximum rebate: $5,000 per taxpayer per year.

Income limit: Available only to veterans with gross income (New Jersey gross income definition) not exceeding $200,000 for the tax year.

Renters: For veterans living in rental units, 18% of rent paid is treated as equivalent to property taxes for rebate calculation. Certain rental assistance (Section 8 or specified grants) is excluded from "rent."

Interaction with other relief: The rebate is in addition to other property tax relief programs, but the combined total of rebates/credits cannot exceed the amount of property taxes actually paid.

Administration: Annual application required; the Director of the Division of Taxation may adjust claimed rent amounts if rents are not arm’s‑length. The bill includes provisions for handling property tax delinquencies and for appeals of rebate determinations.

Funding: Payments are subject to annual appropriations by the Legislature.

Eligibility & coverage

Eligible: New Jersey veterans with a VA service‑connected disability rating (less than 100%), gross income ≤ $200,000, occupying a qualifying homestead (owner-occupied or qualifying rental unit).

Ineligible: Veterans with 100% total and permanent disability (already exempt), and applicants exceeding the income limit.

Fiscal impact (Office of Legislative Services estimate)

Annual State cost increases estimated at:

FY2026: ~$234 million
FY2027: ~$244 million
FY2028: ~$254 million

OLS estimates ~68,800 eligible veterans in FY2026 (based on VA and State data). Cost growth driven by increases in the number of disabled veterans, average property tax bills, and the rent-to-tax equivalent.

Procedural status & timeline

Introduced (Senate): dates in the record include April 11, 2024 (referred to Senate Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee) and October 30, 2025 (introduced/read twice); committee actions include a favorable report from the Senate Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee (June 13, 2024) and referral to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Current status: Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Funding depends on annual appropriations; eligible veterans must apply each year.

Sponsors and related legislation

Sponsors: Roger Marshall (primary), Peter Welch (cosponsor), Pamela Helming (primary) — as listed.

Related/prior bills and companions: S-4689, S-2434, S-3127, S-2573, S-3056 (prior sessions); companion Assembly bill A-4453 (listed twice), A-3169.

Notes: The bill supplements Title 54 (taxation) and includes detailed statutory definitions (homestead, dwelling, rent, etc.) to implement the rebate calculation and administration.

Bill