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Bill

ACR 27

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase veterans' property tax deduction to $1,000, and base future deductions on annual CPI increases.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Auth and 3 co-sponsors

Increases the NJ veterans’ property tax deduction to $1,000 and ties future annual adjustments to CPI so the amount can rise but not fall.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee
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Bill Summary · ACR 27

Summary of ACR 27 (NJ, 222nd Legislature)

Purpose

ACR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey’s veterans’ property tax deduction from the current level to $1,000 annually, and to base future deductions on annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The amendment would set a new base year and tie annual adjustments to CPI growth, with a guarantee that the deduction never decreases.

Key provisions (as drafted in the proposed amendment)

  • Amend Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 3 of the New Jersey Constitution to:

    • Increase the annual veterans’ property tax deduction (or cancellation, if the tax bill is less than the deduction) from the current level to $1,000 starting in tax year 2021 (with reference to the transition language in the text, and a notice about indexing thereafter).
    • After the initial increase to $1,000, future annual deductions would be adjusted each tax year based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since a defined base year (initially 2021 or 2022 depending on the final form in the final enacted version and legislative implementation). The deduction cannot decrease; any increase would be rounded up to the next whole dollar.
    • The CPI definition would be later determined by implementing legislation.
    • Preserve the existing additional deduction for veterans with service-connected disabilities, to be provided by law.
    • Extend the veterans’ deduction to surviving spouses as described, ensuring widows/widowers of eligible veterans retain the deduction during widowhood/widowerhood.

  • Continuining Care Retirement Community (CCRC) provision:

    • A CCRC can receive a veterans’ property tax deduction on behalf of eligible veterans, calculated as the deduction amount times the number of eligible veterans residing there prior to moving in. The resident’s share is based on the portion of property taxes attributable to the unit.
    • The CCRC must provide the payment or credit to the resident within 30 days of receiving the tax bill containing the deduction.
    • The deduction shall not be paid on behalf of eligible veterans residing in tax-exempt CCRCs.
    • Residents cannot receive the veterans’ deduction on another residence owned partially or wholly by them or where their spouse lives.

  • Surviving spouses:

    • The surviving spouse of veterans meeting the defined criteria would be entitled to the deduction during widowhood/widowerhood, with continued eligibility under the same terms as honorably discharged veterans.

Affected parties

  • Eligible veterans of New Jersey who are honorably discharged (and their surviving spouses) would be directly affected by the higher deduction and its indexing.
  • Surviving spouses of veterans who die while on active duty or who later die while a veteran would retain the deduction during widowhood/widowerhood.
  • Residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) who qualify for the veterans’ deduction, and CCRCs themselves (as administrators of the credit/payments).
  • Local tax administration and state budgeting/legislative processes responsible for defining CPI and implementing the amendment via enabling legislation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill is a concurrent resolution, proposing a constitutional amendment that, if agreed upon, would be submitted to the voters.
  • After final agreement, it would be placed on the ballot at the next general election occurring more than three months after final agreement.
  • Publication requirements require notice in newspapers in each county at least three months before the general election.
  • Ballot wording would present a Yes/No question: whether to amend the Constitution to increase the annual veterans’ property tax deduction from $250 to $1,000 (with subsequent indexing to CPI) and outline the impact and baseline year.
  • The supporting interpretive and factual statements explain how the deduction would be calculated and indexed, including the treatment of increases and the base year (2022 referenced in the interpretive/statement sections).

Notes and context

  • The current deduction amount specified in the bill text (historical notes) indicates a backstory of prior increases (e.g., $250 in 2002; $1,000 base referenced for indexing), but the final enacted version would depend on the precise CPI methodology and enabling legislation.
  • This measure is sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Auth and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, with additional sponsorship noted.

Potential impact

  • Potentially larger, CPI-adjusted veterans’ property tax relief moving forward, providing more predictable and potentially higher annual relief as costs rise.
  • Increased administrative responsibilities for CCRCs and local tax offices to implement and track the credit, along with the need for implementing legislation to define CPI and operational details.
  • Long-term fiscal impact would depend on the CPI-based adjustments and participation levels among eligible veterans and their survivors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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