Department of Taxation and Finance

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 want the taxpayer 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 at Team Tax.

Our official communications are clearer and more concise. We are expanding our Free File, Direct File, and Taxpayer 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

 

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance collects tax revenues that fund services and programs that benefit New Yorkers. In fiscal year 2024, we collected more than $147 billion in state and local taxes.

Our department administers 49 state and local taxes and fees, including $23 billion in local sales tax and more than $14 billion in local income tax. In regard to real property taxes, the department supports more than 1,000 local governments that, in 2024, administered more than $71 billion in local property taxes. To explore, search, download, and share data about the taxes we administer, see Tax data.

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.

Voluntary–less expensive–more efficient. Involuntary–more expensive–less efficient.

  • Tax department
    • Personal tax legislation
    • Publish forms, instructions and guidance
    • Assist and educate taxpayers
    • Capture return data and process payments
    • Resolve errors and issue bills
    • Resolve protests
    • Audit
    • Collection
    • Litigation
    • Criminal enforcement
  • Taxpayer
    • Learn about tax obligations
    • Review information
    • File returns and make payments
    • Answer questions about filing errors
    • Review bills and pay or protest
    • Pay taxes found due after protest
    • Undergo audit
    • Collection defense
    • Litigation defense
    • Criminal enforcement defense

 

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.