Criticism from some Republican lawmakers met NJ Gov. Phil Murphy’s signing today of a bill to provide tax relief to Jersey shore home renters
By Frank Brill, EnviroPolitics Editor
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today signed into law (A4814) which seeks to provide relief for many shore homeowners who rent out their properties during the summer. It amends the transient accommodations law, enacted in 2018, to narrow the scope of rentals subject to taxation.
The bill was sent to the governor at the beginning of this summer vacation season. Numerous lawmakers representing shore towns have been urging him ever since to sign it.
In apparent anticipation of criticism over the time it took to act, a news release announcing the signing said:
“The administration conducted a thorough legal and technical review to ensure that the legislation, as written, was not only feasible to implement, but more closely mirrors the original intent, which was to create parity throughout the rental industry by extending the existing tax on hotels and motels to certain short-term rentals, such as those done through online marketplaces.
Republican Senator Declan O’Scanlon of Monmouth County called the signing “way too late.”
“We are in August at this point, summer is nearly over and most of the damage of this ill-conceived aspect of this tax has been done. The Governor and his policy folks need to recognize when something is emergent and do their homework up front, so they’re ready to take action the minute such bills land on his desk. This was a total failure of administrative planning and it likely, needlessly, cost the New Jersey economy millions of dollars.”
Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, also a Republican, added this zinger: “I’m happy our voices were heard, it’s just unfortunate that the Governor didn’t elect to sign this repeal before he set off for his Italian vacation in July,”
Primary sponsors of the legislation include Democratic Assembly members Joann Downey, John McKeon, John Armato, Bruce Land, Wayne DeAngelo, Eric Houghtaling, Vincent Mazzeo, Nancy Pinkin, Matthew Milam, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, and Senators Vin Gopal and Bob Andrzejczak.
Their joint response was far more positive.
“Over the past several months, we’ve listened to Jersey Shore homeowners – many of whom are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy – who are worried they’ll see far less summer guests this season as a result of the short term rental tax. Summer tourism is the heartbeat of the shore, and this law was never intended to hurt the private homeowners who help it grow and thrive.”
“The bill signed into law today will help property owners who rely on word of mouth, signs, social media and longstanding customers to keep their rentals booked through the summer. It will help shore businesses keep customers flocking to their doors. And it will help tourists afford to have the vacation of their dreams right here at the Jersey Shore,” the sponsors continued.
Are you a Jersey shore property owner who rents during summers? What’s your opinion? Share it in the block below
Related news:
Summer rentals spared from ‘Airbnb’ tax as Murphy signs law
Murphy to eliminate controversial Shore rental tax
Jersey Shore home rentals down. Airbnb tax blamed
Jersey Shore lawmakers scramble to fix unpopular rental tax law
