May 2012
NYS Imposes Complex Taxi Tax
What's harder than hailing a cab in New York City on a Saturday night when it's raining? Trying to figure out the tax for the trip.
NYS Pension Fund Performance
A release from the Office of the New York State Comptroller said that the New York State Common Retirement Fund earned an estimated 5.96 percent rate of return in the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
Satellite Ends Film Tax Nexus
When a New York movie theater receives a film from the studio, does it have to pay sales tax? It used to—but going forward, it probably won’t.
NYS Shipping Tax Rules
Tax Bulletin ST-838 (TB-ST-838), issued on May 14, clarifies when shipping or delivery charges are taxable. Generally, if the item is taxable, so is the shipping, but there are subtle points.
It's NYS vs. the First Amendment
Identical bills that would radically change the way blogs work have been kicking around the New York legislature for months, but in recent weeks they've received a spate of attention: proposed laws to end the practice of anonymous blog posting. Below is the essential message of the bill.
Sept. 11: Not About Politics
New York state's primaries are held by law on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September before each general election. But this year that day is Sept. 11. So to keep the day free from politics and focused on higher things, Governor Cuomo signed a bill on May 21 moving the date to Sept. 13 this year.
Wide Income Disparity in NYC
The Office of the New York City Comptroller has released a report highlighting the distribution of wealth in the city, and comparing it to national patterns.
NYS Looks into Force-Placed Insurance
The state Department of Financial Services is investigating a type of insurance product that mortgage companies force on customers after they have let their standard home insurance policies lapse, because of financial hardship.
Nonie Manion Honored for Work
The State Academy for Public Administration (SAPA) has presented one of its 2012 "Public Service Excellence Awards for Outstanding Service to New York State" to Nonie Manion, director of the state's Tax Audit Division.
Cuomo Reins in Compensation
In a May 16 announcement, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the release of proposed regulations to limit spending for administrative costs and executive compensation at state-funded not-for-profit and for-profit service providers.