Governor Phil Murphy

Governor Murphy, Treasurer Muoio, Senator Paul Sarlo, and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin Announce Extension to State Income Tax Filing Deadline to May 17

03/19/2021

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy, Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio, Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo, and Assembly Budget Committee Chairwoman Eliana Pintor Marin today announced that the state income tax filing and payment due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021 to mirror actions taken by the IRS. The extension was made under the authority of the Department of Treasury’s Director of the Division of Taxation. Formal guidance will be provided in the coming days.

This extension applies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. However, unlike last year, first quarter 2021 individual estimated tax payments are not being extended and will still be due on April 15. No additional forms are required to qualify for this extension.

“As we continue the arduous job of emerging from this pandemic, we are extending this relief to taxpayers in what we know is a very difficult time,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Our hope is that the extension gives taxpayers with difficult circumstances, including filings made more complicated by various relief programs and employment changes, the extra the time they may need.”

“It is our hope that this additional time will provide a measure of relief for those who have faced challenges created by the pandemic,” said Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio. “This is exactly the type of emergent situation that our existing statutory authority was designed to address.” 

“Now that the IRS is extending its deadline it is important that we act swiftly to align the state and federal timetables,” said Senator Paul Sarlo, Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “The extension will give taxpayers breathing room to account for all the changes in what is becoming one of the most complicated tax seasons in decades. The multiple federal recovery plans and pandemic-related work changes have disrupted taxpayer circumstances in ways that will likely require revisions to filings and payments. We want taxpayers to take advantage of every tax benefit they can. During a time of so much economic and financial upheaval, the deadline extensions will provide more certainty and consistency for taxpayers."

“This has been a challenging year for many New Jersey taxpayers and allowing them more time to file can provide some relief and alleviate some of the stress associated with filing taxes,” said Assembly Budget Committee Chair, Eliana Pintor Marin.