Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit program
makes more money available to more people
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes joins the NJ Department of Treasury in encouraging eligible taxpayers to take advantage of New Jersey’s expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (NJEITC) program, which can provide anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars in relief to those who are eligible.
Legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy as part of last year’s budget lowered the minimum age eligibility for the NJEITC from 21 to 18 and to those 65 and older without dependents, which is projected to help another 90,000 residents.
For tax year 2021, New Jersey taxpayers could receive a refundable credit of up to $2,691 with qualifying dependents or $601 without dependents. The maximum credit available for workers without dependents is nearly tripled from previous years in thanks to provisions expanding the federal EITC in the American Rescue Plan.
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To be eligible for the NJEITC, a taxpayer must:
- Meet all qualifications for the federal earned income tax credit, except for the minimum age requirement;
- Be a resident of New Jersey who works or earns income;
- Have a qualifying child or be at least 18 years old;
- Meet the income limits for their filing status;
- Have a valid Social Security number (this includes spouses and any qualifying child listed on the tax return).
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