New Jersey Corporation Business Tax (CBT): Complete Guide
New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) applies to every corporation doing business in New Jersey, at 6.5% to 9% of allocated net income, with a minimum tax every year even when the company has no income. Corporations with more than $10 million of taxable net income also owe a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee through 2028. S corporations file a separate return and pay a lower minimum tax.
New Jersey CBT is 9% of allocated net income over $100,000, 7.5% between $50,001 and $100,000, and 6.5% at $50,000 or less. Every C corporation owes a minimum tax of $500 to $2,000 based on New Jersey gross receipts, and every S corporation owes $375 to $1,500. Returns are due on the 15th day of the month after the federal return is due: May 15 for calendar-year C corporations (CBT-100) and April 15 for calendar-year S corporations (CBT-100S).
Who Owes It
- Every corporation doing business in NJ, owning property in NJ, employing capital in NJ, or maintaining an office in NJ
- Every NJ-formed corporation, even if all operations are out of state
- Foreign corporations meeting economic nexus thresholds in NJ
- S corporations file Form CBT-100S and pay the S corporation minimum tax. Tax on income applies only to income that is also taxed at the federal level.
- LLCs taxed as corporations for federal purposes
Filing Details
- Due date
- 15th day of the month after the federal return is originally due. Calendar year: May 15 (C corporations, CBT-100) and April 15 (S corporations, CBT-100S).
- Extension
- Six months with Form CBT-200-T, filed and paid electronically. Calendar year extended dates are November 15 (C) and October 15 (S). The extension is only granted if the tax is paid by the original due date, and there is no extension of time to pay.
- Minimum tax
- See the tables below.
- Maximum / rate
- 9% on allocated net income over $100,000.
- How to file
- NJ Division of Taxation online filing at nj.gov/treasury/taxation.
- Payee
- State of New Jersey — Division of Taxation
New Jersey Minimum Tax for C and S Corporations
| New Jersey gross receipts | Minimum tax |
|---|---|
| Less than $100,000 | $500 |
| $100,000 to less than $250,000 | $750 |
| $250,000 to less than $500,000 | $1,000 |
| $500,000 to less than $1,000,000 | $1,500 |
| $1,000,000 or more | $2,000 |
| New Jersey gross receipts | Minimum tax |
|---|---|
| Less than $100,000 | $375 |
| $100,000 to less than $250,000 | $562 |
| $250,000 to less than $500,000 | $750 |
| $500,000 to less than $1,000,000 | $1,125 |
| $1,000,000 or more | $1,500 |
A corporation that belongs to an affiliated or controlled group with total payroll of $5 million or more owes a $2,000 minimum tax regardless of its gross receipts. The minimum tax is due every year until the corporation is formally dissolved, even if it had no activity.
Corporate Transit Fee and Combined Reporting
Corporate Transit Fee. For privilege periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028, corporations with more than $10 million of taxable net income owe an additional 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee on top of the CBT. New Jersey S corporations and public utilities are exempt.
Combined reporting. For tax years ending on or after July 31, 2019, groups of commonly owned companies running a unitary business, where at least one member is subject to New Jersey CBT, must file a combined return (Form CBT-100U) instead of separate returns.
Most Common Problems
The patterns we see most often when clients come to us with New Jersey Corporation Business Tax (CBT) problems.
1. NJ Division of Taxation filed a Certificate of Debt (judgment)
Unpaid CBT leads to a Certificate of Debt filed with NJ Superior Court — equivalent to a money judgment, creating a lien on all NJ real and personal property and showing up on commercial credit reports.
2. You owe minimum tax for years on an inactive corporation
NJ minimum CBT ($500-$2,000) is owed every year regardless of activity. A dormant NJ corporation accumulates at least $500/year forever until formally dissolved with the Division of Revenue.
3. Your NJ business privileges have been revoked
Extended CBT delinquency leads to revocation of the corporation's certificate of authority — meaning loss of legal capacity in NJ courts and inability to close transactions.
How to Fix It: Step-by-Step Resolution
The same playbook our attorneys use when a new client walks in with New Jersey Corporation Business Tax (CBT) delinquency.
- 1
Pull the NJ Division of Taxation account transcript
Request a complete CBT account transcript covering every year of delinquency. Identify all assessed minimum tax, penalties, interest, and any Certificates of Debt filed with NJ Superior Court.
- 2
File every missing CBT-100 or CBT-100S return
File Form CBT-100 (C-corp) or CBT-100S (S-corp) for every delinquent year. Without filed returns, the Division will not consider settlement or release Certificates of Debt.
- 3
Pay or negotiate the balance
NJ Division of Taxation offers installment plans for corporate tax debt. We negotiate plans that fit the entity's actual cash flow and, where appropriate, pursue Offers in Compromise under N.J.S.A. 54:53-1.
- 4
Vacate the Certificate of Debt
Once the balance is paid or under an active payment plan, file a Warrant of Satisfaction with NJ Superior Court to release the judgment lien.
- 5
Address federal corporate tax exposure
Multi-year NJ CBT non-filing usually pairs with multi-year federal corporate non-filing. Resolve both layers in parallel.
If the balance cannot be paid at once, the Division will consider a New Jersey tax payment plan.
Penalties & Consequences
Late filing: 5% of the tax due per month or part of a month, up to 25%, plus up to $100 for each month the return is late. Late payment: 5% of the tax balance paid after the due date. Interest: 3% above the average prime rate, for each month or part of a month the tax is unpaid, compounded annually. Certificate of Debt filed with NJ Superior Court (judgment). Possible revocation of certificate of authority.
Why a Tax Attorney for a New Jersey CBT Problem
NJ corporate tax problems often involve parallel NJ sales tax, NJ withholding tax (with personal responsible-person liability), and federal corporate non-filing. We resolve all layers in coordination — and protect officers and directors from personal exposure under N.J.S.A. 54:32B-2(w) responsible-person rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum New Jersey Corporation Business Tax?+
It depends on New Jersey gross receipts and the type of corporation. C corporations owe $500 to $2,000 and S corporations owe $375 to $1,500, as shown in the two tables above. It is owed every year regardless of profit or loss.
Does NJ have economic nexus for corporate tax?+
Yes. NJ adopted economic nexus for CBT — a corporation with $100,000+ in NJ-source receipts or 200+ separate NJ transactions is generally considered to be doing business in NJ and owes CBT.
When is New Jersey CBT due in 2026?+
For calendar-year filers, May 15, 2026 for C corporations (CBT-100) and April 15, 2026 for S corporations (CBT-100S). Fiscal-year filers file by the 15th day of the month after their federal return is originally due.
How is an S corporation taxed in New Jersey?+
A New Jersey S corporation files Form CBT-100S and pays the S corporation minimum tax of $375 to $1,500 based on New Jersey gross receipts. If it has income that is taxed at the federal level, it owes the greater of the tax on that income or the minimum tax. S corporations do not owe the Corporate Transit Fee.
What is the Corporate Transit Fee?+
A 2.5% fee on corporations with more than $10 million of taxable net income, for privilege periods from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028. S corporations and public utilities are exempt.
How do I pay New Jersey CBT?+
Returns, extensions and payments are filed electronically through the New Jersey Division of Taxation online services at nj.gov/treasury/taxation.
Primary Sources
We cite the official New Jersey guidance so you can verify everything on this page.
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Tax Attorney | Civil and Criminal Tax Controversy & Litigation Specialist
Gregory McCauley Jr. is an experienced tax attorney who has personally represented more than 1,000 clients in matters ranging from civil tax controversy and IRS examinations to criminal tax defense, U.S. Tax Court litigation, and complex business disputes. His practice is built on a foundation his clients describe as rare in the tax resolution industry: genuine attention to detail, direct attorney access, and a willingness to litigate when the IRS refuses to be reasonable.
Behind on New Jersey CBT? Fix It Before the Division Files a Certificate of Debt.
Our tax attorneys resolve New Jersey Corporation Business Tax (CBT) delinquency, federal corporate tax exposure, and officer personal liability in one coordinated strategy.
Call (877) 829-5267