ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 4958

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  MARCH 8, 2021

 

      The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4958.

     This bill would provide a sales and use tax exemption for purchases made by a small business during a brief period of time which purchases enable the business to conduct its normal indoor operations outdoors.  The bill targets relief to small businesses that incur costs for having to establish or expand outdoor operations during the fall and winter seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  A small business would be entitled to a refund equal to the amount of sales tax paid for each qualified item purchased or service rendered. 

     Under the bill, a small business, one that employs fewer than 20 full-time employees, would be eligible to apply for a sales and use tax exemption for purchases made or services rendered to winterize the business, which purchases or services are made or rendered between September 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.  The exemption would apply to items purchased or services rendered to a small business that enable the business to conduct business outdoors during the fall and winter seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This exemption would cover purchases of products to melt or remove snow and ice, as well as tents, and space heaters.