Singleton Bill to Benefit Military Spouse Professionals Advances

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton that would provide spouses of military service members with a gross income tax credit, up to $500, for professional relicensing fees incurred upon relocating to New Jersey passed the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.

“When military orders require a service member to relocate to New Jersey, their spouses lives are uprooted too,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington).  “Many times, these spouses incur costs when seeking professional certifications or licenses so they can work in our state. This bill eases their financial burden while welcoming them to share their skills and experience as a part of our workforce.”

Under the bill, an eligible spouse of a service member who moves to New Jersey due to military orders would be eligible to receive a refundable gross income tax credit in the amount of qualified relicensing fees incurred due to the relocation, not to exceed $500.

The bill, S-2537, would define qualified relicensing fees to mean the fees incurred by the military spouses for a license or certification made mandatory by the state to engage in a profession they practiced elsewhere.  However, the credit only covers the relicensing fees incurred beginning on the date that the permanent change of station order is issued.

To qualify for this tax credit, a military spouse does not have to live on a base, but can reside anywhere in the state.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 4-0, and next heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.