Bill > S945

Introduced Session

This bill provides corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to certain food and drink establishments related to the purchase certain local ingredients and products that are used for the operations of the establishment. Specifically, the bill provides tax credits to taxpayers that own or operate a restaurant or bar in the State in an amount equal to 10 percent of the costs incurred by the taxpayer for the purchase of any wine or beer that is produced in New Jersey and offered for sale to patrons of the restaurant or bar. The amount of the credit allowed would not exceed $10,000 per taxpayer per year. To claim the credits, the taxpayer would be required to submit, with their tax return: a copy of the receipts for the sales of the beer or wine purchased by the taxpayer; proof that the beer or wine was produced in this State; a copy of one or more menus demonstrating that the beer or wine is offered for sale to patrons of the restaurant or bar, and any other documentation that may be required by the director. The bill also provides tax credits to the owners and operators of breweries and wineries for purchases of Jersey Fresh products. The amount of the credit would be equal to the costs incurred to purchase commodities from a Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program licensee for use in the production of beer or wine. The value of the credits allowed for this purpose would not exceed $10,000 per taxpayer per year. To claim the credit, a taxpayer would be required to submit, with their tax return: a copy of the receipts for the sales of a commodity purchased by the taxpayer; documentation from the Department of Agriculture verifying that the commodities were purchased from a Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program licensee; a signed affidavit stating that the commodity was purchased for business use; and any other documentation that may be required by the director. The bill defines a "Jersey Fresh Quality Program licensee" as any entity that has applied for and been granted approval by the Department of Agriculture to package commodities using a department-approved "Jersey Fresh" logo. Additionally, the bill provides tax credits to qualifying food establishments for 10 percent of the costs incurred to purchase any fruits, vegetables, crops, and other ingredients that are grown or manufactured in the State for use in the preparation of foods or beverages at the qualifying food establishment. A "qualifying food establishment" is defined under the bill as a restaurant, food manufacturing establishment, and a limited brewery license or restricted brewery licensed under State law. The bill defines "eligible ingredients" as any fruits, vegetables, crops, or other ingredients that were grown or manufactured in this State.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Mike Testa (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document