Your summer stock-up on sunscreen could soon be a little cheaper.
During his final state budget speech Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy introduced a plan to exempt sales tax for sunscreen in New Jersey.
The governor also proposed eliminating sales tax on certain baby supplies, including:
- cribs
- strollers
- child restraint systems, including car seats and booster seats
- baby bath soaps
- baby shampoos
- baby lotions
- baby powders
- nursing bottles
- baby bottle nipples
- funnels
New Jersey currently charges 6.625% sales tax on the items. They could join other sales tax exempt products, including clothing, shoes and most grocery store food items.
The new exemptions for sunscreen and baby items could reduce the sales and use tax revenue by $7.5 million a year, state officials said.
“I am proud to announce that our budget will introduce a new sales tax exemption for cribs and other critical baby supplies to make life more affordable for more families,” Murphy said in his speech Tuesday.
Sunscreen is included in the tax exemption for everyone, as doctors and other health advocates emphasize its use as a preventative measure for skin cancer, state officials said.
If approved by the state Legislature, Murphy’s proposed $58.05 billion state budget would go into effect for the 2026 fiscal year.
Stories by Brianna Kudisch
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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.