What's happening
This bill creates a one-time tax credit for New York property owners who purchase and install security camera systems.
Why it matters
Encourages private investment in security. By offering a substantial (50%, up to $1,000) tax credit, the bill incentivizes property owners to install security camera systems, potentially increasing neighborhood safety and deterring crime.
Targets both homeowners and business owners. The credit applies to any property owner in New York State, meaning both residential and commercial properties can benefit, potentially leading to wider adoption and more comprehensive local surveillance coverage.
Defines clear standards for eligible systems. To qualify, camera systems must record and store footage for at least 48 hours and cannot be used for public broadcast or dissemination, focusing the benefit on genuine security purposes rather than commercial or media uses.
Provides financial flexibility. If the tax credit is larger than a property owner’s tax liability, the excess credit is refunded as an overpayment (without interest), making the benefit accessible even to those with lower tax bills.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Tax Credit for Security Cameras
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3480
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to establishment of a credit for the purchase and installation of a security camera system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 210-B of the tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision 52 to read as follows:
52. Credit for purchase and installation of a security camera system. (a) Allowance of credit. A property owner subject to tax under this article shall be allowed a one-time credit against such tax for qualified security camera system costs on a property located in New York state. The credit shall equal fifty percent of qualified security camera costs up to one thousand dollars. The credit will be allowed in the taxable year that qualifying security camera system costs are paid, and the property owner may claim a credit for such costs under only one article of this chapter.
(b) Definition. "Qualifying security camera system costs" shall mean camera recording technology, corresponding access and controls equipment and labor costs properly allocable to assembly and original installation not intended or utilized for broadcast, publishing or public dissemination as such terms are generally described in section 250.40 of the penal law. Such camera system shall be capable of recording and storing footage for a minimum of forty-eight hours.
(c) The credit allowed under this subdivision for any taxable year may not reduce the tax due for that year to less than the amount prescribed in paragraph (d) of subdivision one of section two hundred ten of this article. However, if the amount of credit allowed under this subdivision for any taxable year reduces the tax to such amount, or if the taxpayer otherwise pays tax based on the fixed dollar minimum amount, any amount
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00184-02-7
S. 3480 2
of credit thus not deductible in that taxable year will be treated as an overpayment of tax to be credited or refunded in accordance with the provisions of section one thousand eighty-six of this chapter. Provided, however, the provisions of subsection (c) of section one thousand eighty-eight of this chapter notwithstanding, no interest will be paid thereon.
§ 2. Section 606 of the tax law is amended by adding a new subsection (v) to read as follows:
(v) Credit for purchase and installation of a security camera system. (1) Allowance of credit. A property owner subject to tax under this article shall be allowed a one-time credit against such tax for qualified security camera system costs on a property located in New York state. The credit shall equal fifty percent of the qualified security camera costs up to one thousand dollars. The credit will be allowed in the taxable year that qualifying security camera costs are paid, and the property owner may claim a credit for such costs under only one article of this chapter.
(2) Definition: "Qualifying security camera system costs" shall mean camera recording technology, corresponding access and controls equipment and labor costs properly allocable to assembly and original installation not intended or utilized for broadcast, publishing or public dissemination as such terms are generally described in section 250.40 of the penal law. Such camera system shall be capable of recording and storing footage for a minimum of forty-eight hours.
(3) Application of credit. If the amount of the credit allowable under this subsection for any taxable year exceeds the taxpayer's tax for such year, the excess shall be treated as an overpayment of tax to be credited or refunded as provided in section six hundred eighty-six of this article, provided, however, that no interest shall be paid thereon.
§ 3. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph 1 of subsection (i) of section 606 of the tax law is amended by adding a new clause (xliii) to read as follows: (xliii) credit for purchase Amount of credit under and tax installation of a subdivision fifty-two of section security camera system under two hundred ten-B subsection (v)
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately and apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2017 and qualifying security camera system costs incurred on or after the effective date of this act.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to establishment of a credit for the purchase and installation of a security camera system
Purpose
This bill will establish a one-time tax credit for purchase and installation of a security system.
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill creates a new subdivision 52 of section 201-B of the tax law by allowing New York state property owners and taxpayers a onetime onetime fifty percent credit for up to one thousand dollars against taxes for the purchase and installation of a qualified security camera system on a property. The credit will be allowed in the taxable year in which the system is installed.
The bill defines qualifying security camera system costs as costs related to the purchase and installation of a video security system not to be used for broadcast, publishing or public dissemination. A qualifying system must be capable of continuous recording and storage for at least forty-eight hours. The credit is refundable.
Sections two and three of the bill create a corresponding credit under the state personal income tax under section 606 of the tax law.
Section four of the bill provides an immediate effective date and applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2017. This means that most taxpayers could not avail themselves of the credit before they file taxes in 2018.
Justification
New York State has a responsibility to keep all of its communities safe from crime. Recent attacks against businesses residents have indicated a spike in burglaries, robberies, abductions and home invasions. The existence of operating security video systems has been shown to dramatically decrease the number of these incidents and serve as an invaluable tool leading to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.
Private security camera systems have proven to be an indispensable and effective tool for law enforcement officials when solving crimes. Video from these systems have assisted police in identifying and prosecuting perpetrators whom otherwise would have escaped justice. Community residents should feel that their home or place of business is safe from those committing robberies or thefts.
However, the cost of these systems has proved to be a serious barrier to wider installation and use of these security systems. This bill will provide a serious and much needed incentive for greater use of video security systems for both state residences and businesses.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.2691 - Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
A similarly designed video security incentive program structured as a government paid for rebate at time of purchase provided $100,000 in incentives in the District of Columbia for calendar year 2015.
Estimates for a tax credit in New York State should average approximately $200,000 to $300,000 a year.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and apply to taxable years 2017 and later.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.