New NJ Tax on Purchase Commercial Real Estate

Tax Law and Planning

Starting August 1, purchasers of commercial real estate for more than $1,000,000 will have an additional tax, or "fee", to contend with. Chapter 33, Laws of 2006, calls for a 1% fee to buyers of commercial property purchased for over $1 million. This brings the fees for purchasing commercial real estate in line with the purchase of residential real estate, which for several years has been subject to a "mansion tax" of 1% to buyers of residential property valued at more than $1 million. Sellers of property will still need to contend with the Realty Transfer Tax, regardless of whether buyers are subject to the additional 1% fee.

There will be several exceptions to the 1% fee on transfer of commercial property:

* Where the real property transfer is incidental to a corporate merger or acquisition, if the real property value represents less than 20% of the total assets subject to the merger or acquisition.

* The purchaser is recognized by the IRS as exempt from income tax (ie: a public charity or private foundation).

The 1% fee also applies in certain non-deed transfers. For example, if a controlling interest in an entity that owns commercial real estate valued at more than $1 million is transferred, then the buyer will pay the 1% fee. This would apply, for example, if an LLC owned commercial real estate valued at more than $1 million, and the LLC itself was sold.

For more information, see the Division of Taxation Website.