INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, based on its analysis, the Company determined there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers forecasted pre-tax book income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences, as well as tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits, the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits, the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change. The forecasted effective tax rates for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, were 13.1 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. The increased effective tax rate is due primarily to an increase in forecasted pre-tax income, partially offset by an increase in forecasted tax credits for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, compared with the prior fiscal year. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred taxes, were $36.4 million and $27.7 million for fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively. To the extent there are discrete tax items that are not included in the forecasted effective tax rate, the actual effective tax rate will differ from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company recognized $4.6 million and $1.7 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in additional tax benefits associated with various discrete items including vesting of share-based awards and the release of a valuation allowance associated with state tax net operating losses, as a component of income tax provision in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of the tax effect of the various discrete items, NJR’s actual effective tax rate was 10.7 percent and 8.9 percent as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the Company has federal and state income tax net operating losses of approximately $95.1 million and $371.9 million, respectively, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded federal and state income tax receivables and deferred tax assets of approximately $33.3 million and $21.5 million, respectively, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefits associated with these net operating losses. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had federal and state income tax net operating losses of approximately $78.7 million and $310.6 million, respectively, and deferred federal and state tax assets of approximately $27.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, the Company recorded a valuation allowance in the amount of $262,000 associated with state net operating loss carryforwards at CR&R. As a result of taxable income generated from the sale of property and available for sale securities during the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company determined the benefits resulting from the state net operating loss carryforwards at CR&R are more likely than not going to be realized prior to their expiration. Accordingly, the Company released the related valuation allowance against these state net operating loss carryforwards. There were no other valuation allowances needed for the Company as of June 30, 2017. In addition, as of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company had an ITC/PTC carryforward of approximately $119.6 million and $74 million, respectively, which has a life of 20 years. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward, which would begin to expire in fiscal 2034. In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the 30 percent ITC for solar property that is under construction on or before December 31, 2019. The credit will decline to 26 percent for property under construction during 2020 and to 22 percent for property under construction during 2021. For any property that is under construction before 2022, but not placed in service before 2024, the ITC will be reduced to 10 percent. In addition, the PTC was extended for five years through December 31, 2019, with a gradual three year phase out for any project for which construction of the facility begins after December 31, 2016.

INCOME TAXES

NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, based on its analysis, the Company determined there was no need to recognize any liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions.

To calculate the estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers forecasted pre-tax book income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences, as well as tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits, the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits, the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

The forecasted effective tax rates for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, were 13.1 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. The increased effective tax rate is due primarily to an increase in forecasted pre-tax income, partially offset by an increase in forecasted tax credits for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, compared with the prior fiscal year. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred taxes, were $36.4 million and $27.7 million for fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively.

To the extent there are discrete tax items that are not included in the forecasted effective tax rate, the actual effective tax rate will differ from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company recognized $4.6 million and $1.7 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in additional tax benefits associated with various discrete items including vesting of share-based awards and the release of a valuation allowance associated with state tax net operating losses, as a component of income tax provision in its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of the tax effect of the various discrete items, NJR’s actual effective tax rate was 10.7 percent and 8.9 percent as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company has federal and state income tax net operating losses of approximately $95.1 million and $371.9 million, respectively, which generally have a life of 20 years. The Company has recorded federal and state income tax receivables and deferred tax assets of approximately $33.3 million and $21.5 million, respectively, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, reflecting the tax benefits associated with these net operating losses. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had federal and state income tax net operating losses of approximately $78.7 million and $310.6 million, respectively, and deferred federal and state tax assets of approximately $27.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company recorded a valuation allowance in the amount of $262,000 associated with state net operating loss carryforwards at CR&R. As a result of taxable income generated from the sale of property and available for sale securities during the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company determined the benefits resulting from the state net operating loss carryforwards at CR&R are more likely than not going to be realized prior to their expiration. Accordingly, the Company released the related valuation allowance against these state net operating loss carryforwards. There were no other valuation allowances needed for the Company as of June 30, 2017.

In addition, as of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company had an ITC/PTC carryforward of approximately $119.6 million and $74 million, respectively, which has a life of 20 years. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward, which would begin to expire in fiscal 2034.

In December 2015, the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the 30 percent ITC for solar property that is under construction on or before December 31, 2019. The credit will decline to 26 percent for property under construction during 2020 and to 22 percent for property under construction during 2021. For any property that is under construction before 2022, but not placed in service before 2024, the ITC will be reduced to 10 percent. In addition, the PTC was extended for five years through December 31, 2019, with a gradual three year phase out for any project for which construction of the facility begins after December 31, 2016.