NJ Families Are Paying Enough! Demand a Gas Tax Holiday NOW
New Jersey families are paying enough. It is time to give drivers a break at the pump.
Gasoline is not a luxury for New Jersey residents. For millions of families, workers, small businesses, commuters, and caregivers, driving is a necessity.
Yet New Jersey continues to impose a substantial tax burden on every gallon of gasoline. As of July 2026, New Jersey's gasoline tax was 49.15 cents per gallon—the 7th-highest state gasoline tax in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation.
And New Jersey drivers were hit with another increase in 2026. Effective January 1, the state's gasoline tax increased by 4.2 cents per gallon under the statutory formula supporting the Transportation Trust Fund. This formula has been dubbed the Gas Tax Escalator by New Jersey Property Taxpayers Coalition.
At a time when families are struggling with the cost of transportation, food, housing, and other necessities, New Jersey should look for ways to provide immediate relief—not automatically increase the cost of filling the tank.
Other States Are Providing Temporary Relief
New Jersey does not have to be powerless to help its residents.
In 2026, states including Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and now Ohio have implemented or pursued temporary fuel-tax relief measures as gasoline and diesel prices have risen. Ohio has also enacted a temporary suspension of its gasoline and diesel taxes.
If other states can provide temporary relief at the pump, New Jersey lawmakers can consider doing the same.
New Jersey Taxpayers Deserve Relief
New Jersey already has a heavy overall state and local tax environment. The Tax Foundation ranks New Jersey 49th overall on its 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index. The organization also reports that New Jersey has the nation's highest effective property-tax rate on owner-occupied housing and a top marginal individual income-tax rate of 10.75 percent.
That makes relief at the pump especially meaningful.
A gas tax holiday would not solve every affordability problem facing New Jersey families. But it would provide immediate, direct and visible relief to the people who need to drive to work, school, medical appointments, businesses, and family obligations.
Our Request
We are asking Governor Sherrill and the New Jersey Legislature to enact a temporary New Jersey Gas Tax Holiday.
Specifically, we ask state leaders to:
Suspend New Jersey's state gasoline taxes for a temporary period.
Provide immediate relief to New Jersey drivers at the pump.
Prevent additional automatic increases from adding to the cost of gasoline during the relief period.
Ensure that the savings are passed through to consumers rather than absorbed elsewhere in the fuel distribution chain.
Develop a responsible plan for maintaining essential transportation funding while providing taxpayers temporary relief.
New Jersey residents should not have to choose between filling their gas tank and paying for other necessities.
If other states can find ways to provide temporary relief to their residents, New Jersey should be willing to do the same.
We respectfully ask you to act now and give New Jersey drivers a Gas Tax Holiday.
New Jersey taxpayers deserve relief.
Suspend the gas tax. Give families a break. Give New Jersey drivers a Gas Tax Holiday.
THERE'S MORE!
Stop the entire process of raising the gas tax!
STOP AUTOMATIC GAS TAX INCREASES IN NEW JERSEY
No Taxation Without Representation
A Petition of the New Jersey Property Taxpayers Coalition
New Jersey families already face some of the highest costs in the nation. Yet there is a fundamental problem with the way New Jersey's gas tax is determined:
YOUR LEGISLATORS DO NOT HAVE TO CAST A NEW VOTE WHEN THE RATE INCREASES.
Under current law, the Legislature established a formula that allows the gas tax rate to be adjusted annually. The State Treasurer, after consultation with the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, determines the tax rate necessary to meet the revenue target.
The result?
Your gas tax can go up without your State Senator or Assembly members casting a vote to raise it.
For 2026, the process resulted in a 4.2-cent-per-gallon increase, effective January 1.
We believe there is a better way.
If New Jersey is going to raise your taxes, your elected representatives should have to vote for it.
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, CALL FOR:
Repeal of the automatic gas tax adjustment mechanism.
Ending the State Treasurer's authority to determine annual changes in the tax rate under the current formula.
A vote of the New Jersey Legislature before any future gas tax increase takes effect.
We also call upon municipal and county governing bodies throughout New Jersey to adopt resolutions supporting these reforms.
ADD YOUR NAME!
Tell New Jersey's elected officials:
No automatic tax increases. No taxation without representation.