TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation (S2050) to exclude combat pay from gross taxable income under the New Jersey income tax. New Jersey is the only state currently taxing combat pay, which is also untaxed by the federal government.

“Members of the military put everything on the line for our state and our country,” said Governor Murphy. “I am happy and proud that, even in the midst of our state’s most serious fiscal crisis, we were able to find a way to make life easier for our troops and provide some long-overdue relief to the bravest among us.”

“All distractions when deployed reduce combat effectiveness. This is a positive action that will pay dividends for our women and men in combat,” said Maj. Gen. Jemal J. Beale, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Primary sponsors of S2050 include Senators Shirley K. Turner, Michael L. Testa, Jr., and Kristin M. Corrado, and Assemblymembers Annette Quijano, Cleopatra G. Tucker, and Wayne P. DeAngelo.

“I would like to thank Governor Murphy.  This is a big salute to our military personnel, especially those serving in combat zones,” said Senator Shirley Turner. “Our military members are putting their lives at risk while their pay is below or at the poverty line.  Their families are also making enormous personal sacrifices.  New Jersey should be honoring military service, not taxing it.  I first introduced this bill 19 years ago, and I am elated that New Jersey will now join the rest of the nation to become the 50th state to exempt combat zone pay from taxation.”

“Previous versions of this important bill have languished in the Legislature for 10 years. When I was sworn into the Senate in January, I made this one of my priorities and began advocating for its passing and enactment on behalf of American servicemen and women,” said Senator Michael Testa. “I am proud that working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we are finally reversing the insensitive policy, and I thank the Governor for his support.”

“The military men and women who put their lives on the line to fight for our freedoms in war zones are under-paid heroes,” said Senator Kristin Corrado. “The military provides a combat zone stipend of $225 per week, and this new law allows our soldiers to hold onto more of it, exempting the bonus from state income tax. As a nation, we ask more than enough from our U.S. military members. Taxing their combat pay is unnecessary and insensitive, and that flawed practice ends today.”

“Members of our military courageously face increased risks and immediate threats while serving within combat zones, and because of these risks, they receive a combat pay bonus,” said Senator Dawn Marie Addiego.

“New Jersey is currently the only state in the nation taxing combat-zone pay. This legislation rights this wrong and would benefit the husbands and wives, and sons and daughters of our military personnel back home.”

“Every year, New Jersey residents are deployed to countries throughout the world to fight on behalf of America. Those military members serving in combat zones risk their lives in defense of our country,” said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, and Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo in a joint statement. “It is only right we honor their courage and sacrifice by exempting the pay they earn during that time period as well as any time spent in a hospital for injuries sustained in combat from state income taxes. Here in New Jersey, we value the service of our military members and veterans.”

“I am proud today of Gov. Murphy and the State of New Jersey for adopting the combat zone state tax exemption. It must have been a difficult decision to make in challenging financial times,” said Lt. Col. Peter Lupo, Vice President of Legislative Affairs, New Jersey Veterans Chamber of Commerce. For that reason, New Jersey soldiers will be deeply appreciative. I can personally attest to that.”

S2050 excludes military pay for service in a combat zone, or for hospitalization as the result of an injury while serving in a combat zone, from gross taxable income under the New Jersey income tax. The bill excludes combat pay in the same manner as federal taxation does. A combat zone is defined as any area the President of the United States designates by Executive Order as an area in which the U.S. Armed Forces are engaging or have engaged in combat.

While the end of the pandemic still isn’t in sight, business owners are being proactive and finding ways they can still thrive in the current situation. In fact, tax incentives and other programs are looking to empower small businesses across the country. The Morris County Freeholders recently announced that over $15 million in aid from the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Emergency Security (CARES) Act will be shared amongst local businesses.

Small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy. Fortunately, putting up a business in New Jersey is easy, and is a good way to drum up interest in starting (and even growing) operations. Zen Business lists how forming an LLC can be done through six simple steps in the state, from naming your business’ LLC to applying for EIN and the necessary tax requirements. Although the process is simple, the pandemic is likely to have altered the plans of budding entrepreneurs. Despite this, many businesses are taking up the challenge to see how they can evolve at this time.

To get some much-needed inspiration below is a roundup of local businesses that are thriving amidst the pandemic.

Stew Leonard’s

It should come as no surprise that grocery chains have been experiencing an uptick in business over the last few months. Stew Leonard’s is the perfect example of this, and what’s even more notable is that they’ve been able to meet cleanliness standards while still satisfying customer demand. These cleanliness standards include constantly disinfecting high-touch areas and implementing social distancing protocols.

Part of Stew Leonard’s appeal is that the current health situation hasn’t stopped innovating their operations. Their version of the famous Shark Tank show promises to introduce the newest products to their customers, which in turn incentivizes people to go out and make purchases. What’s more, this emphasis on new items also gives customers a sense of normalcy at a time when everything feels askew.

Eat Clean Bro

Meal delivery services have also surged in popularity over the course of the pandemic. Eat Clean Bro notes that there’s been a 40 percent increase in orders in the last few months. The genius of their business model is twofold. They’re able to take advantage of recent health advisories that emphasize how COVID-19 passes through food while also tapping into the already existing demand for healthy eating.

Business has been so strong that Eat Clean Bro owner Jamie Giovinazzo has recently announced plans to expand into Atlanta and Boston. This astronomical growth is all the more inspiring considering that Giovinazzo started his company by selling food from his friend’s kitchen!

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Thankfully it’s not just food and grocery services that are thriving at this time. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has been able to successfully shift towards digital operations, which means that people can still stay entertained from the safety of their own home.

While NJPAC’s regular donors have a part to play in the center’s continued success, NJPAC’s increase in social media engagement and constant release of interesting programming has been pivotal in ensuring that the arts stay relevant to patrons. The schedule also includes live events, which further boost engagement while giving customers a reason to stay tuned and keep coming back to their site.

Handling the pandemic hasn’t been a walk in the park for anyone, but it’s good to know that there are businesses out there who have still managed to make the most out of their situation. The success stories of these businesses prove that no challenge is insurmountable, provided you’re willing to do a bit of work and innovate operations as needed.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy extended the public health emergency and related restrictions on activities in New Jersey, which were first put into place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic under an executive order he issued on March 8, 2020.

Executive Order No. 186 extends all executive orders previously issued by the Governor under the Emergency Health Powers Act.  The new order also extends all actions taken by any state executive branch departments and state agencies in response to the public health emergency declared due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Under the state’s Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 186, click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi explains the Vote by Mail Process.

Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi advises Morris County voters that Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #177 signed on August 14 mandates significant changes to the November 3rd General Election because of COVID-19 Public Health concerns.

Like the July 7 Primary Election, the General Election will be conducted primarily by mail-in-ballot, with limited polling locations open for voting on paper provisional ballots only. According to the Governor’s Executive Order, the following will happen:

1. All registered active voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot by mail on or before October 5. Similar to the Primary Election, the County Clerk’s Office will provide a postage-paid envelope to return the mail-in-ballot. No stamp is required.

2. Voters may return their completed mail-in ballot to the Board of Elections through the following methods: a) by mail through the USPS, b) through the use of 10 drop boxes located throughout Morris County, which will be established by the Board of Elections, c) in-person delivery to the Board of Election Office, or d) by submitting their own ballot in-person at their assigned 2020 General Election polling location.

3. Sample ballots will not be mailed to voters for the General Elections. However, in lieu of a Sample Ballot, a card containing the voter’s polling location and other pertinent information will be mailed to each voter.

4. A limited number of polling places established by the Board of Elections will be available for voters on November 3.

5. Voters who go to their polling location to vote and have not voted by mail will be permitted to vote only on a paper Provisional Ballot.

6. Ballots that are returned in person or via a dropbox must be received by the Board of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and will be considered valid and shall be canvassed, provided that they meet all other statutory requirements.

7. Ballots that are mailed and postmarked by Election Day and received by the Board of Elections no later than 8:00 p.m. on November 10 will be accepted and canvassed provided that they meet all other statutory requirements.

8. Voters whose ballots are rejected by the Board of Elections for a missing or discrepant signature shall be given the opportunity to cure the signature defect. Voters can check the status of their returned ballots by using the NJ Division of Elections’ by clicking here.

Click here to read the full Executive Order #177 for detailed information.