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History
- Substituted by A7520
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.935
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Extends chapter 479 of the laws of 2011 relating to establishing the taxpayer refund choice act
Signed by Governor · Sponsor N. Nick Perry
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5352
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 479 of the laws of 2011 amending the tax law relating to establishing the taxpayer refund choice act and affirming the right of state residents to receive personal income tax refunds by paper check and requiring the department of taxation and finance to fully describe any debit card or direct deposit program, in relation to extending the effectiveness thereof
Purpose
To ensure that state taxpayers continue to have the option of receiving their personal income tax refunds by paper check in addition to any other options that may be offered.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends the effective date provisions of Chapter 479 of the Laws of 2011. It extends, for another five years, the expiration date of this 2011 law.
Existing law
Section 3013 of the Tax Law -- which was enacted subject to a five-year sunset date -provides that taxpayers may continue to receive their personal income tax refund by paper check, and may opt out of any prepaid debit card or direct deposit program.
Section 3013 also requires the Tax Department to provide taxpayers with a clear written statement setting forth these rights. Income tax forms must indicate that the taxpayer has the option of receiving his or her refund by various methods, including by personal check. In any written notice regarding prepaid debit cards, the Tax Department is required to describe all features of such program, including any fees for ATM with- drawals or point of sale purchases.
Justification
Every year millions of New Yorkers overpay their state and local taxes on the wages they receive. These overpaid funds remain the rightful property of the taxpayers. Taxpayers are entitled to the timely refund of their overpayment and should be able to receive their refunds in a manner that is most convenient, understandable and best suited to their individual financial needs.
A few years ago, the Tax Department implemented a prepaid debit card refund program. At the time, the Department was considering discontinu- ing the ability of taxpayers to receive their refund by paper check. However, many people are comfortable with paper checks, and prefer to receive their refund in this manner.
To ensure that consumers would still have this choice, the Legislature passed a law (Chapter 479 of 2011) to allow consumers to choose whether to receive their refund by direct deposit, debit card or paper check. That law was made subject to a five year sunset date.
This bill recognizes that many people do not want to be forced into using debit cards, and would extend for an additional five years the right of taxpayers to choose how they want to receive their refund.
Fiscal implications
None. This bill simply continues the existing refund payment options for taxpayers.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.