New Jersey plans to extend its fiscal year by three months because of uncertainty about the new coronavirus' effect on revenue and how much stimulus is coming from the federal government, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney said in an interview.
The state tax deadline, April 15, also will be pushed back, to July 15, Mr. Sweeney said. The federal government and New York state have set that deadline as well.
Mr. Sweeney said he, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Gov. Phil Murphy, all Democrats, have been discussing the moves for a few days and were advised of their legal authority to change the dates. The extended deadlines will require legislative approval, he said.
"We are committed to working together to enact the necessary legislation and supplemental appropriations," Messrs. Murphy, Coughlin and Sweeney said in a joint statement issued by the governor's office.
New Jersey, the most densely populated U.S. state, has been among the hardest hit by the virus. The state Tuesday reported 18,696 cases and 267 deaths.