New for Tax Year 2017. You are eligible for a $3,000 exemption on your Income Tax return if you are a military veteran who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States by the last day of the tax year. Your spouse (or civil union partner) is also eligible for an exemption if he/she is a veteran who was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances and you are filing a joint return. This exemption is in addition to any other exemptions you are entitled to claim and is available on both the resident and nonresident returns.
The good
- you apply once and are eligible for the exemption for life
The bad
- The application is submitted separately from your e-filed return.
- A $3,000 exemption only saves you between $42 and $269 depending on your tax bracket
The ugly
- The submission form must be completed on paper and signed, and then is uploaded, mailed or faxed.
How do I apply? Complete Veteran Income Tax exemption submission form and submit with a copy of your official discharge document, usually Form DD-214. This can be done before filing your tax return and is recommended for faster processing of your return.
More information is available on the State of New Jersey website.
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/military/vetexemption.shtml