Tax Department response to novel coronavirus
6/03/20
In the wake of the COVID 19 outbreak, we realize that you and your clients have a variety of tax-related concerns. The Tax Department is monitoring the situation closely. We're listening to taxpayers — and taking steps to help.
Recent tax-related news:
The temporary authorization to accept digital signatures has been extended until July 15, 2020. See N-20-5, Temporary Authorization to Use Digital Signatures on Certain Documents Due to the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, Extended.
The sales tax relief for quarterly and annual sales tax vendors affected by COVID-19 has been extended to June 22, 2020. See N-20-6, Extension for the Abatement of Penalties and Interest for Sales and Use Tax due to the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.
Our response to novel coronavirus page (see link immediately below) is now available in six foreign languages.
For the latest tax-related updates, visit Tax Department response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Payments and bills
If your client has been directly impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and is unable to make their regularly scheduled payments to the Tax Department, they can contact us at 518-457-5434 during regular business hours — Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. If you have a valid Power of Attorney on file, you can contact the department on their behalf. For faster service, please have your client's Social Security number or employer identification number (EIN) available when you call.
Our representatives can assist with the following payment issues related to existing bills:
installment payment agreements (IPAs)
income execution payments
other collection-related matters
Special Condition Code C2
Reminder: For Tax Year 2019, taxpayers who are unable to pay their tax due in full by July 15, 2020, and would like to request an Installment Payment Agreement (IPA), may enter Special Condition Code C2 on Form IT-201, Full-Year Resident Income Tax Return, Item G, and IT-203, Nonresident and Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return, Item F. This Special Condition Code will also be available through tax preparation software.
The Special Condition Code does not automatically create an IPA. The Special Condition Code C2 will allow a taxpayer to more quickly receive a bill for the unpaid tax due. After receiving the bill, the taxpayer may request an IPA using Online Services, through our phone system, or by speaking with a representative.
Please note: Any tax return payments scheduled by the taxpayer will be withdrawn as scheduled unless canceled by the taxpayer.
2020 STAR Check Delivery Schedule
Some of your clients probably receive a check for the STAR credit, rather than receiving the STAR exemption, which is a reduction on their school tax bill. We issue STAR credit checks prior to the due date for school taxes. To help your clients understand when they can expect to receive their check, you can direct them to the 2020 STAR Check Delivery Schedule.
To learn more about the potential benefits of switching to the STAR credit, visit Why switch to the STAR credit from the STAR exemption.
Paper carryout bag reduction fee
Beginning June 1, 2020, the cities of Troy and White Plains will impose the five-cent paper carryout bag reduction fee. (Suffolk County, Tompkins County, and New York City already impose this fee.) Sales tax vendors that sell tangible personal property in these localities must collect the fee when they provide a paper carryout bag to a customer.
For retailers in the localities that opted in, the paper carryout bag reduction fee:
is not included in any amount that is subject to sales tax;
must be collected in addition to any sales tax due on the transaction; and
must be separately stated on the receipt provided to the customer and include the number of bags provided.
For more information about the fee and how to pay it, visit Paper carryout bag reduction fee.
Advocate for your client if they disagree with a bill or notice they received
We offer a variety of online resources that help taxpayers better understand their rights and responsibilities. Begin by visiting Challenge Tax Department actions, where you can learn how to file formal and informal protests. You can also Request a penalty abatement for your client. Other sources of support include:
Keep up with tax changes
The Tax Professional Newsletter is a monthly summary of recent changes and new information. To receive updates as we announce them, subscribe to new tax topics as we add them to our Subscription Service. We'll share links to new resources and tax tips as they become available.
Recently added topics include:
Cigarette, tobacco, and vapor products taxes
Medical marijuana and opioid excise taxes
Real estate transfer tax and mortgage recording tax
Alcoholic beverages tax and beverage container deposits