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New Jersey development funding, grants and tax incentives

Grants, loans, tax credits, tax abatements, project financing, solar and storage incentives and utility programs a New Jersey development project can use, with the federal programs that reach New Jersey projects marked Federal. For each: what it is, whether it is taking applications and the official source. Subscribers also see what each is worth, the next deadline, who can apply, who cannot, the steps and the conditions to watch.

Grants

Money that does not have to be repaid, usually through a public agency or municipality.

Affordable and workforce housing funds (State Tax Credit Subsidy Program)Taking applicationsNJHMFA sells state tax credits to businesses at auction and lends or grants the proceeds to housing developers through two funds: the Affordable Housing Production Fund (households below 80% of area median income) and the Workforce Housing Fund (80% to 120%). Up to $500M in credits is authorised; auctions continue until 2030.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

State Tax Credit Subsidy Program (NJHMFA)NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance AgencySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF)Taking applicationsState grants and loans for investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites. Municipalities, counties and redevelopment entities get the largest grants; private owners can get matching grants for unrestricted-use cleanups and loans.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

N.J.S.A. 58:10B-6; N.J.A.C. 19:31GNJ Economic Development Authority and NJDEPSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

EPA brownfields assessment, cleanup and revolving loan fund grantsFederalOpening soonEPA grants that pay for assessing and cleaning up brownfields. Recipients are governments, redevelopment agencies and nonprofits; private developers benefit through them, for example by assessment of their site or a loan from a revolving fund. EPA expects the FY2027 competitions to open in fall 2026; no Multipurpose grants will be offered.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

CERCLA Section 104(k); Assistance Listing 66.818US EPASourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and guaranteed loansFederalPausedUSDA Rural Development grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and energy-efficiency improvements owned by agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Under the October 2026 rule, a project must already be built and operating, with 12 months of production or savings data, before the applicant applies for a grant.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

7 CFR Part 4280, Subparts B and C (grants); 7 CFR Part 5001 (guaranteed loans); Federal Register document 2026-20178 (October 1, 2026)USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Rural Development)SourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (Solar for All, National Clean Investment Fund, Clean Communities Investment Accelerator)FederalEnded for new projectsThe $27 billion fund created in 2022: $7 billion of Solar for All grants to states and others for low-income solar, and $20 billion to national green banks and community lenders (NCIF and CCIA) that financed clean-energy projects. EPA treats all three as terminated; 2026 court rulings have gone against the terminations, but when or whether money will flow is unclear.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Clean Air Act section 134 (repealed by P.L. 119-21)US Environmental Protection AgencySourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Loans

Public loans at low or deferred rates.

DOE Energy Dominance Financing Program (section 1706)FederalTaking applicationsDOE loan guarantees for projects that retool, repower, repurpose or replace energy infrastructure that has stopped operating, raise the capacity or output of operating infrastructure, or support electric supply for grid reliability. DOE lists nuclear, coal, oil, gas, geothermal, hydropower, critical materials, grid resilience and transmission.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

42 U.S.C. 16517 (Energy Policy Act of 2005, section 1706, as amended by P.L. 119-21)US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Dominance Financing (formerly Loan Programs Office)SourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Tax credits

Credits against income or business tax, often sold or syndicated to raise equity.

Emerge job-creation tax creditsTaking applicationsNJEDA tax credits for businesses that create jobs at a qualified project site in New Jersey, often used for new or expanded facilities. The program runs through March 1, 2029.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, as extendedNJ Economic Development AuthoritySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Historic Property Reinvestment ProgramTaking applicationsNJEDA tax credits for rehabilitating historic income-producing properties. Applications are open and reviewed in the order received.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Economic Recovery Act of 2020, Historic Property Reinvestment ActNJ Economic Development AuthoritySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Low-income communities bonus for the clean electricity investment credit (48E(h))FederalBetween roundsCompetitive allocation, run by the Treasury and IRS with the Department of Energy, of extra investment credit for facilities under 5 MW that are in low-income communities, on Indian land, or part of qualified low-income residential building or economic benefit projects. A project must receive an allocation to claim the bonus.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 48E(h); Revenue Procedure 2025-11US Treasury and IRS; US Department of EnergySourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

NJHMFA housing tax credit roundsBetween roundsNew Jersey’s share of the federal low-income housing tax credit, awarded by NJHMFA. The July 2026 competitive (9%) round awards credits from the 2027 allocation; bond-financed (4%) applications are taken with NJEDA bond applications outside the rounds.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 42; NJHMFA Qualified Allocation PlanNJ Housing and Mortgage Finance AgencySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Clean electricity investment and production credits (48E, 45Y)FederalAvailable under standing lawTechnology-neutral federal credits for new electricity generation and energy storage. Wind and solar lose them unless construction began by July 4, 2026 or the project is placed in service by December 31, 2027. Other technologies, including storage, keep the full credit for construction beginning before 2034, then 75% (2034) and 50% (2035).

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 48E, 45Y (as amended by P.L. 119-21)US Treasury and IRSSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Federal historic rehabilitation tax creditFederalAvailable under standing lawA 20 percent federal income tax credit for rehabilitating a certified historic building for income-producing use, under the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. The state historic preservation office and the National Park Service review the work in a three-part application before the IRS credit is claimed.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 47; 36 C.F.R. Part 67National Park Service and IRS, through each state historic preservation officeSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC)FederalAvailable under standing lawFederal credit for building or rehabilitating rental housing with income-restricted units, allocated by each state housing agency. From 2026 each state’s competitive (“9 percent”) allocation is 12 percent larger, and projects financed with tax-exempt bonds (“4 percent” credits) need bonds covering only 25 percent of basis when the bonds are issued after 2025.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 42(h)(3)(I), 42(h)(4) (as amended by P.L. 119-21)IRS; state housing finance agenciesSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

New Markets Tax CreditFederalAvailable under standing lawFederal credit that lowers the cost of capital for commercial, industrial, mixed-use and community-facility projects in low-income census tracts. The Treasury’s CDFI Fund gives allocations to Community Development Entities, which invest in projects. The 2025 budget law made the program permanent at $5 billion of allocation a year.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 45D(f)(1)US Treasury CDFI FundSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Transfer of clean energy tax credits for cash (section 6418) and elective pay (section 6417)FederalAvailable under standing lawLets a project owner sell all or part of eligible federal clean energy credits, including 48E, 45Y, 45X and 45Q, to an unrelated buyer for cash. Tax-exempt and governmental entities can instead take certain credits as a direct payment (elective pay). Both require IRS pre-filing registration.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 6418 and 6417 (as amended by P.L. 119-21)US Treasury and IRSSourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Aspire gap financing tax creditsPausedNJEDA tax credits that fill the financing gap in commercial, residential and mixed-use projects. Award size depends on location. New applications are paused while NJEDA revises the criteria.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020NJ Economic Development AuthoritySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program (BRIP)PausedNJEDA tax credits for the cost of remediating a brownfield before redevelopment. The applicant cannot be the party that caused the contamination, and remediation generally must not have started. NJEDA is not taking applications until new program rules are filed; applications will then be rolling.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Economic Recovery Act of 2020, Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program ActNJ Economic Development AuthoritySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Tax abatements and exemptions

Lower property, sales or income tax on the project, or a payment in lieu of taxes.

Five-year exemption and abatement (tax phase-in)Available under standing lawMunicipalities that adopt an ordinance under the Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law can sign tax agreements for improvements and new construction in areas in need of rehabilitation, including a phase-in of the tax on the new improvement over five years.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:21-1 et seq. (40A:21-10)Municipal governing bodySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Long-term tax exemption (PILOT) for redevelopmentAvailable under standing lawA municipality can exempt a redevelopment project’s improvements from property tax and collect an annual service charge (payment in lieu of taxes) instead, under a financial agreement with an urban renewal entity. Five percent of the charge goes to the county.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Long Term Tax Exemption Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:20-1 et seq. (40A:20-12); P.L. 2025, c. 91Municipal governing body; NJ DCA Division of Local Government ServicesSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Opportunity Zone capital gains deferralFederalAvailable under standing lawInvestors who put capital gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund that develops property or businesses in a designated zone defer tax on those gains and, after a 10-year hold, pay no tax on the fund investment’s growth. The 2025 budget law made the program permanent with a new five-year deferral for investments made after December 31, 2026.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 1400Z-1, 1400Z-2 (as amended by P.L. 119-21)US Treasury and IRSSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Property tax exemption for on-site renewable energy systemsAvailable under standing lawThe added assessed value of a certified renewable energy system (such as rooftop solar) on a residential, commercial, industrial or mixed-use building is exempt from local property tax, when the system produces energy on site for that building's needs.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.113a to 54:4-3.113f (P.L. 2008, c.90)Municipal construction officials and tax assessors; NJ Division of Taxation (form)SourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Sales and use tax exemption for solar energy equipmentAvailable under standing lawSales of solar energy devices or systems that provide heating, cooling, or electrical or mechanical power, including devices that store solar-generated energy, are exempt from New Jersey sales and use tax. The statute does not limit the exemption to residential buyers.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

N.J.S.A. 54:32B-8.33 (P.L. 1980, c.105, s.45); N.J.A.C. 18:24-26NJ Division of TaxationSourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Building energy credits ended June 30, 2026 (179D, 45L, 30C)FederalEnded for new projectsThree credits developers used for new buildings ended for new projects under the 2025 budget law: the 179D deduction for efficient commercial buildings (construction beginning after June 30, 2026), the 45L credit for new efficient homes (homes acquired after June 30, 2026) and the 30C credit for EV charging (property placed in service after June 30, 2026).

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

26 U.S.C. 179D(i), 45L, 30C(i) (as amended by P.L. 119-21)US Treasury and IRSSourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Project financing (C-PACE and green banks)

Long-term financing for energy and building improvements, including C-PACE repaid through a charge on the property.

Garden State C-PACE financingTaking applicationsLong-term private financing for energy, water and resiliency improvements, repaid through a special assessment on the property. New construction qualifies. The property must be in a municipality that has opted in; 17 participate.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Garden State C-PACE Program (authorized by statute in 2021)NJ Economic Development AuthoritySourceChecked Oct 6, 2026

Solar, storage and clean energy incentives

Payments for the power or certificates a project produces, storage incentives, community solar and state renewable procurements.

Community Solar Energy Program (permanent program)Taking applicationsPermanent NJBPU program for community solar facilities that sell bill credits to subscribers in the same utility territory. Registration for 3,000 MW opened March 6, 2026 and runs to December 31, 2029 or until full. A 2026 law added a 300 MW block for 5-20 MW projects on commercial or industrial rooftops, landfills, contaminated sites and mining sites.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

L. 2025, c.135; 2026 CSEP Act (S3183/A3974, signed September 9, 2026); NJBPU orders of March 4, 2026 and September 9, 2026NJ Board of Public Utilities, Division of Clean EnergySourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI): Administratively Determined Incentive (ADI) for net-metered and community solarTaking applicationsNJBPU pays fixed-value SREC-IIs for 15 years to registered solar facilities up to 5 MW (dc): net-metered residential and non-residential, remote net metering and community solar. Registration is first-come, first-served by market segment until each energy-year capacity block is full.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

N.J.S.A. 48:3-116; N.J.A.C. 14:8-11.6; NJBPU orders of March 4, 2026 (community solar value), April 22, 2026 (capacity reallocation) and May 21, 2026 (ADI three-year review)NJ Board of Public Utilities, Division of Clean EnergySourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Dual-Use (agrivoltaic) Solar Energy Pilot ProgramBetween roundsNJBPU pilot for solar on unpreserved farmland that stays in active agricultural or horticultural use, built by teams of landowner, farmer and solar operator. Approved projects receive SREC-IIs made up of a SuSI baseline incentive plus an adder for farming-related costs. The pilot covers up to 200 MW over three years.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

Dual-Use Solar Energy Act of 2021, P.L. 2021, c.170; NJBPU order of August 12, 2026 (first solicitation awards)NJ Board of Public UtilitiesSourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP)Between roundsNJBPU competitive program for transmission-scale storage of at least 5 MW AC, stand-alone or paired with solar or other Class I renewables, connected to PJM in New Jersey. Winners receive fixed annual payments per MW of effective nameplate capacity for 15 years. Phase 1 targets 1,000 MW.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

P.L. 2025, c.136 (N.J.S.A. 48:3-121.2 to 121.7); NJBPU order of March 4, 2026 (Phase 1 Tranche 2 launch)NJ Board of Public Utilities and GSESP Program AdministratorSourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI): Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) solicitationsBetween roundsNJBPU solicitation in which grid-supply solar and net-metered non-residential solar over 5 MW (dc) bid an SREC-II price; winners receive SREC-IIs at their bid for 15 years. Tranches cover large and small grid supply, the built environment, contaminated sites and landfills, net-metered over 5 MW, and storage paired with grid-supply solar.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

P.L. 2021, c.169 (Solar Act of 2021); NJBPU order of June 30, 2026 (CSI fourth solicitation awards)NJ Board of Public Utilities, Division of Clean EnergySourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Utility and energy-efficiency programs

Ratepayer-funded incentives for efficient buildings, new construction, heat pumps and EV charging, which vary by utility territory.

EV charging incentives for multifamily and commercial sites: utility make-ready programs and NJBPU Multi-Unit Dwelling charger incentiveTaking applicationsElectric utilities fund make-ready work (wiring and service upgrades) for Level 2 and DC fast chargers at public, workplace and multifamily sites. Separately, NJBPU's Multi-Unit Dwelling program pays toward networked Level 2 chargers at apartment and condominium properties with at least five units.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

NJBPU orders of May 21, 2026 (light-duty EV extension) and September 9, 2026; FY27 MUD EV Charging Program Terms and ConditionsNJ Board of Public Utilities; PSE&G, JCP&L, ACE, RECOSourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

NJ Clean Energy Program New Construction Program (NCP)Taking applicationsState-run NJBPU program, launched October 2025, paying per-square-foot incentives for energy-efficient ground-up new construction and qualifying gut rehabs: single-family, townhomes, multifamily, commercial and industrial. It replaces SmartStart, Pay for Performance and Residential New Construction; the FY27 budget order says the legacy C&I and P4P new construction programs only pay existing awards.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

NJBPU orders approving the FY26 and FY27 NJCEP budgets (FY27 order June 30, 2026)NJ Board of Public Utilities, Division of Clean Energy (NJ Clean Energy Program)SourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

NJ Clean Energy Program state-run C&I programs: Large Energy Users, Combined Heat and Power/Fuel Cells, Local Government Energy AuditTaking applicationsNJBPU programs that remain state-run alongside the utility programs: the Large Energy Users Program for organizations with high energy spend, incentives for combined heat and power and fuel cells, and subsidized energy audits for municipalities, school districts and nonprofits. Pay for Performance no longer takes new applications.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

NJBPU order approving NJCEP compliance filings and FY27 budgets (June 30, 2026)NJ Board of Public Utilities, Division of Clean Energy (NJ Clean Energy Program)SourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

NJ utility energy-efficiency programs for commercial, industrial and multifamily buildings (Clean Energy Act Triennium 2)Taking applicationsUnder the Clean Energy Act, the electric and gas utilities run energy-efficiency programs for commercial, industrial and multifamily customers in their territories: prescriptive rebates, custom and engineered solutions for large projects, Direct Install for smaller businesses, multifamily, energy management and demand response. Triennium 2 runs January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027.

What it is worth, the next deadline, who can apply and the steps: for subscribers

P.L. 2018, c.17 (Clean Energy Act); NJBPU order of October 25, 2023 (Triennium 2 framework); utility Triennium 2 orders of October 30, 2024NJ Board of Public Utilities; PSE&G, JCP&L, ACE, RECO, NJNG, SJG, Elizabethtown GasSourceChecked Oct 7, 2026

Program terms, amounts and windows change, and most awards are discretionary. Confirm with the agency before relying on any figure; this is not tax, legal or financial advice. Every entry was checked against its source on or before October 7, 2026.