Promote:
Invest in New Jersey
A short guide for companies expanding into New Jersey: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. New Jersey at a glance
PopulationEstimate
9.55 million
The population was 9,548,215 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 1, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$887.8 billion
GDP was US$887,793.1 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$92,980
GDP per person was US$92,980.0 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
2.0%
Real GDP growth was 2.0 percent in 2025, BEA's published percent change.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, any one-stop route and the zones, as the guide found them.
SelectUSA names Choose New Jersey as the state economic development organization for New Jersey.
Source: International Trade Administration, SelectUSA state development organizations, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services has businesses file a certificate first and then a separate tax and employer registration form, so registration is not a single filing.
Source: Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Getting Registered, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 5 foreign-trade zones in New Jersey.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 2024 annual report, Appendix D (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
This guide does not cover the activities reserved for nationals. Before you apply, ask the body named above that handles foreign investment which activities are reserved.
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in New Jersey
- Call or meet the Business Action Center for help finding the right state agency for each registration before you file.New Jersey Business Action CenterOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: New Jersey Business Action Center home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Search the business name with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, get a federal employer identification number, then file a certificate of formation or authorization.Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesUS$100 for a for-profit entityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Getting Registered, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
- File the tax and employer registration form, Form NJ-REG, after the certificate; a Business Registration Certificate follows, for public contracting and state grants or tax credits.Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Getting Registered, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
- File and pay business taxes that apply to you, such as corporation business tax, sales and use tax and employer withholding, through the Division of Taxation's New Jersey Tax Portal.Division of TaxationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Division of Taxation home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more set-up step
- File the annual report with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, which lists it among its business filings.Division of Revenue and Enterprise ServicesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with DORES. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
State business filings office
DORES
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
Takes business name searches, certificates of formation or authorization, tax and employer registrations and annual reports.
Visit DORES (opens in a new tab)Source: Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State business advocacy team
Business Action Center
New Jersey Business Action Center
Helps businesses of all sizes get answers from state agencies, through a helpline, meetings and an online business portal.
Visit Business Action Center (opens in a new tab)Source: Business Action Center, Exports page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Federal small business office
SBA New Jersey District
U.S. Small Business Administration New Jersey District Office
Helps with SBA funding programs, counseling and federal contracting certifications for businesses across the state.
Visit SBA New Jersey District (opens in a new tab)Source: SBA, New Jersey District Office page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
Division of Taxation
Runs the state tax portal and publishes guidance and forms for corporation business tax, sales and use tax and employer withholding.
Visit Division of Taxation (opens in a new tab)Source: Division of Taxation home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Meet requirements
Port authority
South Jersey Ports
South Jersey Port Corporation
Runs five marine terminals in southern New Jersey and lists Foreign-Trade Zone 142 among its facilities.
Visit South Jersey Ports (opens in a new tab)Source: South Jersey Ports home page, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
District export council
New Jersey DEC
New Jersey District Export Council
Brings together experienced international business professionals who guide companies and work with the Commercial Service offices in the state.
Visit New Jersey DEC (opens in a new tab)Source: New Jersey District Export Council home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
- Get advice
State business association
NJBIA
New Jersey Business & Industry Association
Represents businesses in state policy and offers members training, human resources and payroll services.
Visit NJBIA (opens in a new tab)Source: NJBIA, About, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
5. Worth knowing
South Jersey port cargo
South Jersey Ports runs five terminals in three municipalities; the Philadelphia Fed reported in June 2026 that dock cargo there is an early indicator of industrial demand, amid tariff-driven uncertainty.
What to do: Ask your carrier or terminal about schedules and storage before you promise delivery dates.
Sources: Philadelphia Fed, South Jersey economy visit, June 2026 (opens in a new tab); South Jersey Ports home page, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 3, 2026
Corporate transit fee
A 2.5 percent surtax applies to corporation business tax payers above US$10 million of allocated taxable net income for privilege periods from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028.
What to do: Confirm with the Division of Taxation whether your income passes the threshold before you forecast state taxes.
Sources: State Law Library, corporate transit fee law, 2024 Chapter 20 (opens in a new tab); Division of Taxation home page, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 3, 2026
State business registration
The revenue division says every business operating in the state must register, including those that withhold payroll tax or seek state contracts, grants or tax credits.
What to do: File the certificate and the tax and employer registration before you hire or bid for a state contract.
Source: Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Getting Registered, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:New Jersey is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 3, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.