57. a. For the purposes of subsection b. of this section, “residential property” shall include land, a dwelling house or a condominium unit under the form of real property ownership provided for under the “Condominium Act,” P.L.1969, c.257 (C. 46:8B-1 et seq.).

b. A taxpayer who shall not previously have occupied property owned by the taxpayer as a principal residence and who, during the taxable year, purchases residential property within a qualified municipality for the purpose of occupying the property as the taxpayer’s principal residence shall be allowed in that taxable year, and for four taxable years thereafter, a credit not to exceed $5,000 against the tax otherwise due under N.J.S. 54A:1-1 et seq. The credit shall be allowed beginning in any taxable year during the period of rehabilitation and economic recovery.

No taxpayer filing either a single or a joint return shall be eligible for a credit under this section: (1) if, in a prior taxable year, the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse, either singly or jointly with each other or with another, shall have owned and occupied as a principal residence any residential property; or (2) if the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse has received an annual stipend pursuant to section 18 of P.L.2002, c.43 (C. 52:27BBB-18).

In the case of a husband and wife who elect to file separate tax returns, each shall, unless otherwise ineligible, be entitled to one-half of the credit allowed.

If a taxpayer who shall have been allowed a credit under the provisions of this section with respect to the purchase of residential property fails to occupy the property as the taxpayer’s principal residence within one year after the date of the purchase, or terminates occupation of the property as the taxpayer’s principal residence within 10 years after the date of the purchase or the date on which such occupation shall have commenced, whichever is later, the taxpayer shall be liable for tax in an amount equal to the credit previously so allowed.

L.2002,c.43,s.57.