New Jersey state tax: Overview
New Jersey state sales tax isn't so high compared to sales taxes in other states. After all, several products in the state are exempt from tax and New Jersey's sales tax rate is reduced in some areas.
However, New Jersey's property taxes are high compared to other states, and income tax rates in New Jersey can climb quite high, depending on how much you earn.
In the News: Some New Jersey residents may be getting much-needed relief from their property taxes. The Garden State is mailing over $145 million to eligible homeowners. See if the state's property tax freeze applies to you.
[Data for this state tax guide was gathered from a number of sources including the Census Bureau, the state’s government website, the Sales Tax Handbook, and the Tax Foundation. Property taxes are cited as a rate percentage rather than the assessed value.]
New Jersey income tax
New Jersey Income Tax Range: Single filers
New Jersey Income Tax Range: Joint filers
New Jersey tax on retirement income: New Jersey doesn't tax Social Security retirement benefits, Military pensions, or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Taxpayers 62 and older (or those who have a disability) may exclude all or part of their retirement income from state taxation. For the 2024 tax year to qualify for the exclusion, taxpayers cannot have an income above $150,000.
New Jersey sales tax
New Jersey imposes a 6.625% state sales tax. Localities can add an additional 3.313%.
However, the average local and combined sales tax rate is only 6.601%, according to the Tax Foundation. That's because the sales tax rate is reduced to 3.3125% in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zones.
- Groceries are tax-exempt.
- Prescription drugs are tax-exempt.
- Diapers are tax-exempt.
- Women's menstrual products are tax-exempt.
How much are property taxes in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the average effective property tax rate is 2.08%, which is one of the highest in the nation.
New Jersey Property Tax Breaks for Older Adults
Eligible New Jersey homeowners may receive a property tax freeze. To qualify, residents must have lived in their current home since at least 2019, among other requirements. See the state's Treasury website for more detail.
New Jersey gas tax
Gasoline: $0.318 per gallon (effective July 2024)
Diesel: $0.358 per gallon (effective July 2024)
New Jersey taxes on alcohol and tobacco
New Jersey estate and inheritance taxes
There is no longer an estate tax in New Jersey, but that doesn't mean residents are off the hook for paying death taxes.
The state has an inheritance tax of between 11% and 16%. However, the heirs below won't need to pay a thing.
- Spouses
- Children
- Grandchildren and great-grandchildren
- Parents and grandparents
- Civil union partners
