Authorizes Erie county to impose an additional one percent and three-quarters percent sales and compensating use taxes

Summary of specific provisions

Bill section 1 would amend clause 4 of subparagraph (i) of the opening paragraph of section 1210 of the Tax Law, which authorizes counties and cities to impose sales and use taxes at specified rates. Clause 4 would authorize Erie County to impose an additional one percent rate and an additional three-quarters of one percent rate of such taxes for the period commencing December 1, 2011, and ending November 30, 2015. Currently the county is authorized to impose these two additional rates through November 30, 2013 pursuant to section 1210 of the Tax Law.

Bill section 2 would amend paragraph 2 of Tax Law section 1262-q to Continue to provide that net collections from the additional three-quarters of one percent rate shall be used by the county solely for county purposes and shall not be subject to any revenue distribution agreement the county entered into under section 1262(c) of the Tax Law.

Bill section 3 provides that the bill would take effect immediately.

Existing law

Section 1210 of the Tax Law authorizes counties and cities to impose sales and compensating use taxes generally at a rate not to exceed three percent. More than 50 counties outside New York City and five cities are each authorized to impose an additional rate of tax in excess of three percent. Pursuant to section 1210(a), a county or city can impose the "general" sales and use taxes, consisting of the six subdivisions of section 1105 of the Tax Law, which imposes the State's sales taxes, and of the related compensating use taxes in section 1110 of the Tax Law, which imposes the State's use taxes. Or, pursuant to section 1210(b), a county or city can impose one or more of the taxes described in section 1105(b), (d), (a), or (f), which are known as the "segmented taxes," plus related use taxes. Erie County currently imposes the "general" sales and use taxes at the rate of three percent. The county is also authorized to, and does, impose an additional one percent rate pursuant to section 1210 of the Tax Law for the period December 1, 2011, through November' 30, 2013, The county is also authorized to, and does, impose an additional three-quarters of one percent rate pursuant to section 1210 of the Tax Law for the period December 1, 2011, through November 30, 2013.

Justification

Erie County has requested an extension of its authorization to impose an additional one percent and three-quarters percent sales and compensating use tax. The revenue anticipated from this additional tax will allow the County of Erie to continue to provide services deemed vital to the community while maintaining a balanced budget.

Prior legislative history

Chapter 243 of the Laws of 2011.

Fiscal implications

None to the State. Failure to extend the additional one Percent and three-quarters percent sales and compensating use tax rate would mean the annual loss of nearly $265 million in County revenue and would create a severe challenge to the continued operation of County government and its delivery of services. This loss in revenue would require an exorbitant property tax increase of 100 percent, more than doubling the existing levy. In addition, it would be likely that entire departments not mandated by state law would be eliminated and Erie County would put a stop to all capital work, including road and bridge reconstruction throughout our community. Finally, Erie County shares its sales tax with its municipalities and school districts. If the sales tax extension is not approved, Erie County's cities, towns, and villages would lose $12.5 million annually.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.