Day Pitney remains committed to providing quality legal counsel, while protecting our clients and employees, and transforming our communities into more just, equal and equitable spaces. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 Resource Center | Racial Justice and Equity Task Force.
"Angel" investors can receive a new tax credit for investments in New Jersey emerging technology companies.
Under the New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act (the "Act"), angel investors -- wealthy corporate or individual taxpayers who invest cash in high-risk startups -- can defray New Jersey corporation business or gross income taxes for privilege periods or taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012. The new legislation, signed by the governor on January 31, provides for a tax credit of up to 10 percent of angel investors' qualified investment in New Jersey emerging technology companies with fewer than 225 employees, where at least 75 percent of those positions are located in New Jersey.
The maximum credit allowed to a taxpayer in any tax year is $500,000. The state will refund excess credit to an individual taxpayer. A corporate taxpayer can choose to either receive a refund of excess credit or carry over the excess credit for 15 years. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority in consultation with the Director of the Division of Taxation will approve taxpayer applications for the credit. There is a $25 million cap annually on all credits that the Economic Development Authority will approve.
The Act is aimed at spurring New Jersey job creation, technological innovation and corporate growth. Qualifying investments must be made in emerging technology companies that are involved in technology research, manufacturing or sales within the state. Specifically, recipient companies must have research expenses paid or incurred for research conducted in New Jersey, conduct pilot scale manufacturing in New Jersey or conduct technology commercialization in New Jersey in the fields of advanced computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, electronic device technology, information technology, life sciences, medical device technology, mobile communications technology or renewable energy technology.
The Act is designed to incentivize private investment in New Jersey's emerging technology entrepreneurial businesses. Although he vetoed a similar bill in 2011, Gov. Christie praised the new legislation for securing New Jersey's leadership in industries such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences and information technology, as well as for creating high-skill, high-wage jobs that flow from those industries. Supporters of the Act believe that focusing investment on startups in these fields will be important for the state's future and that the program will also help reduce New Jersey's unemployment rate, which is currently approximately 2 percent above the national average of 7.8 percent and is the fourth-highest in the country.
Day Pitney Advisory
On January 31, David Waizer will be speaking at "Drafting Lasting Business Contracts: Simple, Powerful Strategies That Stand The Test of Time," a program and live webcast presented by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, a division of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
On January 15, Brian Fischer spoke at "When Good Deals Go Bad – Pitfalls to Avoid During the Sale Process," an Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) program held at The Hartford Club in Hartford, CT.
On January 8, David Waizer gave a presentation, "Starting Your Healthtech Company," to the Biomedical Entrepreneurship Network at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School – Rutgers.
David Waizer presented on "Select Legal Issues for Emerging Companies" at the Rutgers Business School Collaborative for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (CTEC).
Daniel Gottfried, chair of Day Pitney's International Transactions practice was quoted in an article, "Who Can You Trust in the Cryptocurrency Economy?," published by the Robb Report.
Day Pitney Press Release
On October 26, Day Pitney LLP hosted a program on entrepreneurship and innovation with the Consulate General of Israel to New England and the New England Israel Business Council at the firm's Boston office.
Day Pitney partners Michael Furey and David Waizer were recognized in the inaugural NJBIZ Vanguard Series: Leaders in the Law.