54A:2-4. Minimum taxable income. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act, a taxpayer shall not be subject to tax under this act if:

   a.   The taxpayer is filing as an unmarried individual, an estate or trust, with a gross income of

   (1) $3,000 or less for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1994,

   (2) $7,500 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1994 but before January 1, 1999, and

   (3) $10,000 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1999;

   b.   The taxpayer is determining tax pursuant to subsection a. of N.J.S.54A:2-1, or is a married couple filing a joint return, with a gross income of

   (1) $3,000 or less for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1994,

   (2) $7,500 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1994 but before January 1, 1999,

   (3) $10,000 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1999 but before January 1, 2000,

   (4) $15,000 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2000 but before January 1, 2001, and

   (5) $20,000 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001; or

   c.   The taxpayer is a married person filing separately with a gross income of

   (1) $1,500 or less for taxable years beginning before January 1, 1994,

   (2) $3,750 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1994 but before January 1, 1999,

   (3) $5,000 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1999 but before January 1, 2000,

   (4) $7,500 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2000 but before January 1, 2001, and

   (5) $10,000 or less for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001.

   In the case of a nonresident, gross income shall mean gross income which such nonresident would have reported if he had been a resident.

   L.1976, c.47, s. 54A:2-4; amended 1990, c.61, s.14; 1994, c.8, s.1; 1999, c.260, s.1.