When it comes to reciprocal agreements between states, it can often be confusing to understand what exactly they mean and how they affect taxpayers. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have a reciprocal agreement in place, which is designed to benefit commuters who work in one state but live in the other.

In essence, the reciprocal agreement allows residents of New Jersey and Pennsylvania to pay income tax in their home state only, rather than in both states for the same income earned. This means that if you live in New Jersey but work in Pennsylvania, you would only have to pay income tax to New Jersey, and vice versa.

This agreement has been in place since 1977 and has been beneficial to many commuters who would otherwise be subject to double taxation. However, it`s important to note that this agreement only applies to individuals who live and work in one of these two states. If you live in New Jersey but work in a state other than Pennsylvania, you would still be subject to double taxation.

It`s also important to understand that the reciprocal agreement only applies to earned income, such as wages, salaries, and tips. It does not apply to other types of income, such as investment income, rental income, or income from self-employment. These types of income are subject to taxation in the state where they were earned.

Overall, the reciprocal agreement between New Jersey and Pennsylvania is designed to simplify the tax process for commuters and prevent double taxation. If you are a resident of one of these states and work in the other, it`s important to understand how this agreement affects you and to ensure that you are properly filing your tax returns. As always, it`s recommended to consult with a tax professional if you have any questions or concerns about your tax situation.