New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has made a controversial decision by vetoing a bill that would have eliminated the sales tax on purchases of gold and silver. The bill, known as A5294/S1825, enjoyed widespread support, having passed through all legislative channels without a single dissenting vote. Despite its popularity and unanimous approval in both chambers of the New Jersey legislature, Governor Murphy opted for a pocket veto, effectively halting its enactment into law.
A pocket veto, as defined by Bloomberg, is a veto applied to bills passed within the last 10 days of a two-year legislative session, wherein the governor doesn’t return the bill to the legislature for potential override. This move by Governor Murphy has sparked significant debate and disappointment among proponents of the bill, particularly within the precious metals community.
The push to exempt gold and silver from state sales tax is not unique to New Jersey. Several states including Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi, and Ohio have recently enacted similar legislation or extended existing exemptions on these metals. In fact, 43 states in total have already ended sales tax on gold and silver, highlighting New Jersey’s divergence from regional trends.
In response to the veto, two new bills, A2812/S721, have been reintroduced, signaling ongoing efforts to rectify what many perceive as a discriminatory tax policy. The rationale behind such exemptions stems from the belief that taxing precious metals undermines citizens’ ability to safeguard their finances against inflation and economic instability, particularly in the face of rising federal debt and currency devaluation.
Advocates argue that levying sales taxes on precious metals is fundamentally flawed.
Unlike consumer goods subject to sales tax, precious metals are typically held for resale rather than immediate consumption. This key distinction renders the imposition of sales taxes on these assets nonsensical from an economic standpoint.
Moreover, studies have shown that taxing precious metals can be counterproductive as a revenue-generating strategy for states. The potential loss of economic activity, conventions, and businesses driven out of the state may outweigh any tax proceeds collected on precious metals transactions.
The harm is further compounded by the fact that neighboring states such as Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania have already abolished sales tax on gold and silver. This discrepancy not only undermines New Jersey’s competitiveness but also risks driving business and investors across state lines, ultimately affecting local employment and economic growth.
Furthermore, the constitutional significance of gold and silver cannot be overlooked. As the only forms of money explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, their taxation arguably runs counter to constitutional principles.
Critics of the veto also point out the disparity in tax treatment between precious metals and other forms of savings or investment. While assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate are typically exempt from sales tax, precious metals face discriminatory taxation in New Jersey.
In addition to economic arguments, some critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting Governor Murphy’s background as a former Director of Goldman Sachs. They argue that his veto may serve the interests of financial institutions at the expense of ordinary citizens seeking to protect their wealth through investments in precious metals.
Ultimately, the taxation of precious metals is seen as disproportionately affecting small-time savers and vulnerable groups such as pensioners and wage earners. For many, investing in gold and silver represents a hedge against inflation and financial instability, making the imposition of sales tax on these assets particularly burdensome. The debate surrounding the taxation of precious metals in New Jersey underscores broader concerns about economic policy, constitutional principles, and the role of government in fostering financial security for its citizens. As efforts to reintroduce legislation continue, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving stakeholders on both sides of the issue closely watching developments in the state legislature.