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Department of Taxation and Finance

www.tax.ny.gov

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About us

A MESSAGE FROM ACTING COMMISSIONER AND GENERAL COUNSEL Amanda Hiller

At the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, we are constantly working to improve the taxpayer experience. We know that filing and paying taxes may not be everyone’s favorite thing to do, but we want the experience to be as simple, logical, and equitable as possible.

To advance this goal, all of our operational units are engaged in ongoing evaluation of how we interact with the public and, based upon feedback from our customers, we’re improving continuously.

Our official communications are clearer and more concise. We are expanding our Free File and Facilitated Self-Assistance programs. We’ve enhanced the Office of the Taxpayer Rights Advocate. And we maintain one of the nation’s best call centers staffed by tax professionals ready to assist you with any questions about filing matters.

At this website, you’ll learn about these and other initiatives designed to provide the very best in tax administration for the people of New York.

Sincerely,
Amanda Hiller

Mission

To efficiently collect tax revenues in support of State services and programs while acting with integrity and fairness in the administration of the tax laws of New York State.

Overview

Our department administers more than 40 state and local taxes and fees, including more than $18 billion in local sales tax and $8 billion in local income tax. In regard to real property taxes, the department oversees the administration of more than $50 billion annually and works directly with nearly 1,000 local governments. To explore, search, download, and share data about the taxes we administer, see Tax data.

Pie chart displaying breakdown of returns processed

  • Income: 49%
  • Withholding: 34%
  • Sales: 7%
  • Corp: 6%
  • Other: 3%
  • MCTMT: 1%
Pie chart displaying breakdown of budget distribution
  • Education: 31%
  • Health: 28%
  • Higher Education: 10%
  • Transportation: 5%
  • Criminal Justice: 4%
  • Social Welfare: 3%
  • Other: 19%
  • Agency Budget: 0.35%

Average annual tax revenue collected by New York State: $120B

Graphic displaying number and amount of income tax refunds issued in 2018 Tax Year
  • Number of refunds: $7.6 Million
  • Dollar Amount: $9.5 Billion
Bar chart displaying taxes collected in 2018-19 fiscal year
  • State
    • Personal Income: $53.6 Billion
    • Sales, Excise, and Use: $17 Billion
    • Corporation and Business: $7.7 Billion
    • Other State Taxes: $2.4 Billion
  • Local
    • Local Sales and Use: $18.4 Billion
    • NYC Income Tax: $14 Billion
    • Other Local Taxes: $6 Billion

A key department focus is the balance of efforts to promote voluntary compliance—the cornerstone of the State's system of taxation—with the duty to enforce New York's tax laws. More than 96 percent of the taxes collected are remitted voluntarily by taxpayers. The remaining 4 percent is a result of the department's enforcement programs—audit, collections, and criminal investigations.

Other responsibilities

The department is also responsible for the administration of the State's treasury. The Division of the Treasury receives and disburses State funds, and serves as a custodian of special funds. The division is also a joint custodian of State securities with the State Comptroller.

Through agreements with other State agencies, the department collects additional revenues on behalf of individuals and the State, as well as assisting with fraud detection. Examples of joint measures include enforcing the collection of delinquent child support payments and identifying fraud regarding public assistance and unemployment insurance benefits.

Information and photos taken from the site: www.tax.ny.gov
Photo taken from the site: www.ny.gov/agencies