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"Jersey doesn’t tax Social Security (yet) - you also get a pension deduction of up to 20k (and rising in years to come) if you meet income restrictions - some relief at least - I did my parents’ income taxes for the feds and Pennsylvania for several years - Penna income taxes were a nightmare to compute as I remember it....."

Both fortunately and unfortunately, I'll exceed $20K in SS payments, plus I'll have mandatory IRA distributions coming up in a few years. I like my work, and I plan to keep working as long as I can. Of course NJ hates me.

Correct me if I'm wrong but PA has a 3.07% flat state income tax plus a municipal income tax capped at 2% except for Philly and Pittsburgh. At least on the face of it, it seems less complicated than NJ.

PA does seem to fall down on its death tax -- but I'm not the one who will do the complaining.

Before he's done with the state I think Murphy will leave no stone unturned. It's practically insolvent right now and he's promising billions in new spending.

You don't have to declare any Social Security income on your tax return in NJ - it is state tax exempt - the up to 20k deduction is for pension payments you might have received from your company - it can be taken as long as your gross income doesn't go over 100k per year, and is due to rise by 20k per year for the next four years - you do have to report your IRA income, but only the net amount after subtracting what you paid for the original investment, which saves a little in taxes....

It was years ago that I did the Penna taxes so I don't remember the details, but it seemed at the time much more convoluted than the Jersey form, which follows the federal return fairly closely....

I think Murphy is going to be a disaster - maybe it's worth moving out of the state after all.....