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New Jersey ranks 48th overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 3.92 / 10

About New Jersey's Tax Code

New Jersey levies all major categories of tax, typically at high rates and significant levels of complexity.

In 1976, the Garden State enacted an individual income tax, in part to provide relief from rising property taxes. Now, individual taxpayers are subject to seven individual income tax brackets, a top marginal rate of 10.75 percent, and among the highest per capita property tax collections in the nation. Moreover, individual taxpayers are subject to a marriage penalty. New Jersey property taxpayers also pay the fourth highest effective rate in the country. The state repealed its estate tax but continues to levy an inheritance tax.

Corporations face a top marginal tax rate of 11.5 percent, taking into account a surtax on large businesses known as the Corporate Transit Fee. Recently, however, New Jersey has largely removed global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), now net CFC tested income (NCTI), from its tax base, and tangible personal property is largely exempt from property taxation. Additionally, the state allows up to 20 years of net operating loss carryforwards with an 80 percent cap.

Component Scores

#48 overall · 3.92 / 10

Each component is scored from 0 to 10, where 10 is best. Select a component for its detail page.

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
New Jersey Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #44 4.44 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #48 2.85 / 10
Sales Taxes #27 4.77 / 10
Property Taxes #41 4.13 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #45 3.87 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#48 in 2027 · up 2 places from 2020

New Jersey ranked 50th in 2020 and ranks 48th in 2027, an improvement of 2 places. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑46th47th48th49th50th202020212022202320242025202620275050494949494948
Show the Table
New Jersey Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 50 (3.83) 44 (4.27) 49 (2.66) 31 (4.57) 41 (3.98) 44 (4.28)
2021 50 (3.86) 44 (4.28) 49 (2.74) 31 (4.58) 40 (4.10) 45 (4.17)
2022 49 (3.84) 44 (4.25) 48 (2.76) 30 (4.56) 42 (4.02) 42 (4.25)
2023 49 (3.86) 44 (4.19) 48 (2.88) 30 (4.60) 43 (4.01) 44 (4.16)
2024 49 (3.76) 44 (4.15) 48 (2.78) 34 (4.40) 44 (3.98) 48 (4.05)
2025 49 (3.79) 44 (4.44) 48 (2.70) 28 (4.62) 45 (3.90) 50 (3.70)
2026 49 (3.86) 44 (4.43) 48 (2.78) 27 (4.79) 46 (3.89) 46 (3.84)
2027 48 (3.92) 44 (4.44) 48 (2.85) 27 (4.77) 41 (4.13) 45 (3.87)

New Jersey Compared across the States

#48 overall

Each row places the states on a 0 to 10 score scale for one measure. New Jersey is the large outlined dot, and the dashed line is the 50-state median, so a dot to its right scores better than the typical state. Hover over or tab to any dot for detail, and select it to open that state's profile.

Overall

#48 3.92

Corporate Taxes

#44 4.44

Individual Income Taxes

#48 2.85

Sales Taxes

#27 4.77

Property Taxes

#41 4.13

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#45 3.87

  • New Jersey
  • Other states, by rank (1st to 50th)
  • 50-state median

New Jersey and Its Neighbors

#48 overall

New Jersey borders 3 states and ranks 48th overall; 2 of them rank higher and 1 ranks lower.

New Jersey Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

The five components of the Index, what each one covers, and where New Jersey lands. Open any component for the full breakdown.

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #44

    Includes corporate income taxes and gross receipts taxes. Measures the impact of each state’s principal tax on business activities.

    • Corporate Income Tax Rates
    • Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions
    • Net Operating Losses
    • Treatment of Capital Investment
    • Other Corporate Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for New Jersey →
  • Individual Income Taxes

    Rank #48

    Covers the tax individuals pay on income, and with it a significant number of businesses — sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations — that report their income through the individual income tax code.

    • Individual Income Tax Rates
    • Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation
    • Other Individual Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for New Jersey →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #27

    Covers the general sales tax levied on the purchase price of goods and services, plus excise taxes on gasoline, diesel, tobacco, vapor products, beer, and spirits, and taxes on digital advertising.

    • Sales and Excise Tax Rates
    • Business-to-Business Exemptions
    • Consumer Goods and Services in the Base
    • Sales Tax Structure
    Full Breakdown for New Jersey →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #41

    Includes taxes on real and personal property, net worth, and the transfer of assets — among them capital stock, estate, inheritance, and real estate transfer taxes.

    • Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates
    • Property Tax Bases
    Full Breakdown for New Jersey →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #45

    Covers the taxes employers pay into the state unemployment insurance program to finance benefits for workers recently unemployed.

    • UI Tax Rates
    • Experience Formulas and Charging Methods
    • Other UI Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for New Jersey →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind New Jersey's 2027 scores, grouped by the report's tables, as of July 1, 2026. Its bordering states are shown alongside to start. Search the variables and values, or add up to 4 states to compare side by side.

158 data points · Shaded values differ from New Jersey

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Bracket 16.5% > $08.7% > $0 (differs)6.5% > $07.49% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 27.5% > $50,000n.a. (differs)7.25% > $5,000,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 39.0% > $100,000n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 411.5% > $10,000,000n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Gross Receipts TaxNoYes (differs)NoNo
Gross Receipts Tax Minimum Raten.a.0.0945% (differs)n.a.n.a.
Gross Receipts Tax Maximum Raten.a.0.7468% (differs)n.a.n.a.
Gross Receipts Tax Rate Used in the Indexn.a.0.7468% (differs)n.a.n.a.

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Job CreditsYesYesYesYes
Research and Development CreditsYesYesYesYes
Investment CreditsYesYesYesYes
Compensation Expenses Deductiblen.a.No (differs)n.a.n.a.
Cost of Goods Sold Deductiblen.a.No (differs)n.a.n.a.

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Conforms to Federal NOL TreatmentNoYes (differs)NoNo
Carryback (Years)0Conforms to federal treatment (differs)3 (differs)0
Carryback Cap$0Conforms to federal treatment (differs)Unlimited (differs)$0
Carryforward (Years)20Conforms to federal treatment (differs)2020
Carryforward Cap80%Conforms to federal treatment (differs)Unlimited (differs)50% of Liability (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Section 168(k) Expensing0%20% (differs)0%0%
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationYesYesYesYes
GILTI Inclusion5% Inclusion60% Inclusion (differs)5% InclusionDecouples (differs)
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)
Section 168(n) ExpensingYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesYesYesYes
Conformity StatusRollingRollingRollingRolling
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS DepreciationYesYesYesYes
Allows Federal DepletionYesPartial (differs)YesYes
Throwback RuleNoNoNoNo
Foreign Tax DeductibilityNoNoYes (differs)No
Corporate AMTNoNoNoNo
Brackets Indexed for InflationNoFlat CIT (differs)NoFlat CIT (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Bracket 11.4% > $02.2% > $2,000 (differs)3.9% > $0 (differs)3.07% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 21.75% > $20,0003.9% > $5,000 (differs)4.4% > $8,500 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 33.5% > $35,0004.8% > $10,000 (differs)5.15% > $11,700 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 45.525% > $40,0005.2% > $20,000 (differs)5.4% > $13,900 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 56.37% > $75,0005.55% > $25,000 (differs)5.9% > $80,650 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 68.97% > $500,0006.6% > $60,000 (differs)6.85% > $215,400 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 710.75% > $1,000,000n.a. (differs)9.65% > $1,077,550 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 8n.a.n.a.10.3% > $5,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 9n.a.n.a.10.9% > $25,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)n.a.$3,250 (differs)$8,000 (differs)n.a.
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)$1,000n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)n.a.$110 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption per Dependent$1,500n.a. (differs)$1,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependentn.a.$110 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Average Local Income Tax RateNone0.63% (differs)1.94% (differs)3.37% (differs)
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Marriage PenaltyYesYesYesNo (differs)
Married Couples Can File Separately on One ReturnNoYes (differs)NoNo
Convenience RulePartialYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Interest TaxedYesYesYesYes
Dividends TaxedYesYesYesYes
Capital Gains TaxedYesYesYesYes
Combined Capital Gains Tax Rate10.75%6.6% (differs)12.838% (differs)3.07% (differs)
Tax Brackets Indexed for InflationNoNoNoYes (differs)
Standard Deduction Indexed for InflationYesNo (differs)No (differs)Yes
Personal Exemption Indexed for InflationNoNoNoYes (differs)
Progressivity Ratio1.951.00 (differs)2.02 (differs)1.00 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Conformity StatusStatic (not current)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)Static (not current)
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other StatesYesYesYesYes
AMT LeviedNoNoNoNo
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesPartial (differs)Yes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$25,000$2,560,000 (differs)$2,560,000 (differs)$1,250,000 (differs)
TipsTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)Taxable
OvertimeTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index002.333 (differs)0

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Income RecaptureNoNoYes (differs)No

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
State Sales Tax Rate6.63%n.a. (differs)4.00% (differs)6.00% (differs)
Average Local Sales Tax Rate-0.02%0.00% (differs)4.54% (differs)0.34% (differs)
Maximum Local Sales Tax Rate3.3125%None (differs)4.875% (differs)2.00% (differs)
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)49.1523.00 (differs)24.18 (differs)58.70 (differs)
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)56.1522 (differs)22.38 (differs)74.1 (differs)
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$3.00$2.10 (differs)$5.35 (differs)$2.60 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.12$0.263 (differs)$0.14 (differs)$0.08 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$5.50$4.50 (differs)$6.44 (differs)$7.48 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Tax30.00%5.00% (differs)71.435% (differs)104.6667% (differs)

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Business InputsSome Taxablen.a. (differs)Some TaxableSome Taxable
Farm EquipmentExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Office EquipmentTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableTaxable
Manufacturing MachineryExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Manufacturing Raw MaterialsExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Business Fuel and UtilitiesTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Business Leases and RentalsTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableTaxable
Information ServicesTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Software as a Service (SaaS)Exemptn.a. (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)Exemptn.a. (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Digital B2B ProductsExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Payroll ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Data Center PurchasesTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Digital Advertising TaxNoNoNoNo

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
GroceriesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
ClothingExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Prescription MedicationExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Nonprescription MedicationExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
GasolineExemptn.a. (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt
LandscapingTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableTaxable
Repair ServicesTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableTaxable
Real Estate ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
ParkingTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Dry CleaningExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Fitness ServicesTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Barber ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Veterinary ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
E-BooksTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable
Streaming VideoTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable
Medical ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Legal ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Financial ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Accounting ServicesExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExempt
Sales Tax HolidayNon.a. (differs)NoNo

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Uniform Base DefinitionsYesn.a. (differs)YesYes
Unified Tax AdministrationYesn.a. (differs)YesYes
Safe Harbor for Remote SellersSales or Transactions Thresholdn.a. (differs)Gross Sales Threshold (differs)Gross Sales Threshold (differs)

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Property Tax Collections per Capita$3,665$1,086 (differs)$3,538 (differs)$1,806 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income4.32%1.59% (differs)4.16% (differs)2.55% (differs)
Assessment LimitNoNoYes (differs)No
Levy LimitYesYesYesNo (differs)
Capital Stock Tax RateNone0.04% (differs)0.1875% (differs)None
Capital Stock Tax Maximum Paymentn.a.$200,000 (differs)$5,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income Taxesn.a.Pay both (differs)Pay highest (differs)n.a.

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Tangible Personal Property TaxPartialNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis Exemptionn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Intangible Property TaxNoNoNoNo
Inventory TaxNoNoNoNo
Real Estate Transfer TaxYesYesYesYes
Split RollNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Split Roll Ratio1.001.51 (differs)7.50 (differs)1.00
Estate TaxNoNo16% (differs)No
Inheritance Tax16%No (differs)No (differs)15% (differs)
Gift TaxNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Minimum Rate0.50%0.40% (differs)2.03% (differs)1.42% (differs)
Maximum Rate5.80%5.40% (differs)9.83% (differs)10.37% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$44,800$14,500 (differs)$17,600 (differs)$10,000 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.30%0.10% (differs)0.00% (differs)0.00% (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate5.40%8.00% (differs)5.90% (differs)8.95% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate1.30%0.10% (differs)1.50% (differs)0.00% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate7.70%8.00% (differs)8.90% (differs)8.95% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages1.00%0.11% (differs)0.48% (differs)0.58% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages2.24%0.60% (differs)3.08% (differs)3.40% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio0.40.79 (differs)0.06 (differs)0.22 (differs)
New Employer Rate3.40%1.20% (differs)3.40%3.82% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Experience Formula Based OnReserve RatioBenefit Wage Ratio (differs)Reserve RatioBenefits Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesYesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedNoNoNoNo
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableNew JerseyDelawareNew YorkPennsylvania
Solvency TaxYesYesYesYes
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersNoNoNoNo
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesYesYesYesYes
Reserve TaxesNoNoNoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Temporary Disability InsuranceYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Voluntary ContributionsYesNo (differs)YesYes
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating32 (differs)1.5 (differs)1.5 (differs)

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About the Authors

Janelle Fritts Tax Foundation
Expert

Janelle Fritts

Senior Policy Analyst

Janelle Fritts is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy. She is the lead researcher on the annual State Tax Competitiveness Index and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structures of their state tax codes. Her work has been cited in The New York Times, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, and numerous state media outlets across the country.

Jared Walczak Tax Foundation
Expert

Jared Walczak

Senior Fellow

Jared Walczak is a Senior Fellow at the Tax Foundation, where he spent five years as Vice President of State Projects, and president of Walczak Policy Consulting.

Nicole Fox Tax Foundation
Expert

Nicole Fox

Policy Analyst

Nicole Fox is a Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

Katherine Loughead Tax Foundation
Expert

Katherine Loughead

Vice President of State Tax Policy

Katherine Loughead is the Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she oversees the state tax policy team’s research agenda and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

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Jesse Solis

Vice President of Communications

Jesse Solis is Vice President of Communications at the Tax Foundation, where he leads the communications team and works to build coverage of Tax Foundation’s experts and their work across the globe. He joined the team in 2021 as Communications Manager and became Communications Director in 2024.