Section 34:1B-307 - Award of credit against tax duea. For privilege periods beginning on or after January 1 next following the effective date of sections 35 through 42 of P.L. 2020, c. 156(C.34:1B-303 through C.34:1B-310), a taxpayer eligible under subsection c. of section 38 of P.L. 2020, c. 156(C.34:1B-306) shall be awarded a credit against the tax due pursuant to section 5 of P.L. 1945, c.162 (C.54:10A-5), sections 2 and 3 of P.L.1945, c.132 (C.54:18A-2 and C.54:18A-3), section 1 of P.L.1950, c.231 (C.17:32-15), or N.J.S. 17B:23-5. A taxpayer that qualifies for the award of a tax credit under this section may claim 25 percent of the total amount awarded in the privilege period in which the taxpayer establishes and opens the supermarket or grocery store for business, and an additional 25 percent of the total amount awarded in each of the three privilege periods next following the initial opening, provided that the supermarket or grocery store remains in business and open to the public. For a taxpayer to be allowed a tax credit pursuant to this section, the taxpayer shall meet the requirements of this section, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to section 41 of P.L. 2020, c. 156(C.34:1B-309).b. The order of priority of the application of the credit allowed pursuant to this section and any other credits allowed against the tax imposed pursuant to section 5 of P.L. 1945, c.162 (C.54:10A-5) for a privilege period shall be as prescribed by the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The amount of the credit applied pursuant to this section against the tax imposed pursuant to section 5 of P.L. 1945, c.162 (C.54:10A-5), shall not reduce a taxpayer's tax liability for a privilege period to an amount less than the statutory minimum provided in subsection (e) of section 5 of P.L. 1945, c.162 (C.54:10A-5). Any credit shall be valid in the privilege period in which the certification is approved and any unused portion thereof may be carried forward into the next 10 privilege periods or until exhausted, whichever is earlier.c. The authority shall award tax credits to taxpayers until either the available tax credits are exhausted or all projects that are eligible for a tax credit pursuant to the provisions of sections 35 through 42 of P.L. 2020, c. 156(C.34:1B-303 through C.34:1B-310) receive a tax credit, whichever occurs first. If insufficient funding exists to allow a tax credit to a taxpayer in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of section 38 of P.L. 2020, c. 156(C.34:1B-306), the authority may offer the taxpayer a tax credit in an amount less than that provided in subsection a. of this section.d. Prior to awarding a tax credit to a supermarket or grocery store, the authority shall confirm with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of the Treasury that the qualifying supermarket or grocery store is in substantial good standing with the respective department, or has entered into an agreement with the respective department that includes a practical corrective action plan for the supermarket or grocery store, and the qualifying supermarket or grocery store shall certify that any contractors or subcontractors performing work at the qualifying supermarket or grocery store: (1) are registered as required by "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act," P.L. 1999, c. 238(C.34:11-56.48 et seq.); (2) have not been debarred by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development from engaging in or bidding on Public Works Contracts in the State; and(3) possess a tax clearance certificate issued by the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The authority may also contract with an independent third party to perform a background check on the developer.e. A supermarket or grocery store shall, as required at the discretion of the authority, submit to the authority satisfactory information pertaining to the project cost, project financing gap, and the initial operating costs, as certified by a certified public accountant, certifications that all information provided by the supermarket or grocery store to the authority is true, including information contained in the application, any agreement pertaining to the award of tax credits under the program, any amendment to such an agreement, and any other information submitted by the supermarket or grocery store to the authority pursuant to sections 35 through 42 of P.L. 2020, c. 156(C.34:1B-303 through C.34:1B-310), and evidence of the initial opening and continued operation of the supermarket or grocery store. The supermarket or grocery store, or an authorized agent of the supermarket or grocery store, shall certify under the penalty of perjury that the information provided pursuant to this subsection is true.Amended by L. 2021, c. 160, s. 15, eff. 7/2/2021.Added by L. 2020, c. 156, s. 39, eff. 1/7/2021.