New Jersey gave companies credit for millions in ‘phantom’ property taxes to qualify for incentives

October 4, 2019

“Why would you include property taxes as a benefit when you’re not collecting them?” said Michael Lahr, director of Rutgers Economic Advisory Service. Lahr was part of a team at Rutgers that evaluated the cost-benefit model for the tax-credit awards last year, and recommended revising that part of the formula.

Lahr made a similar suggestion at a state Senate hearing last month when he testified about how to improve the controversial incentive program.

Philadelphia Inquirer, October 3, 2019

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