Category Archives: New York

New York’s iPod Tax Will Also Snare Porn

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Russ

New York is another state facing a deficit. New York Governor David Paterson proposed 88 new taxes to fill a $15 billion budget deficit. One of those taxes is on downloading digital entertainment services. Sure, music downloads were the obvious … Continue reading →

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Indians 5, New York 4

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Russ

New York suffered a setback this week in its fight against the Cayuga Indian Nation. The Cayugas have been selling cigarettes without New York sales and cigarette taxes; district attorneys had previously executed search warrants and seized records from their … Continue reading →

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Not So Fast, New York

Posted on December 28, 2008 by Russ

New York’s attempt to tax cigarettes sold on Indian reservations in the Empire State hit a roadblock last week. Judge Rose Sconiers issued a temporary restraining order against New York and barred collection of the sales tax. A hearing on … Continue reading →

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New York Governor Looks to Increase 88 Taxes and User Fees

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Russ

New York already already has the second worst tax climate in the country according to the Tax Foundation. Governor David Paterson today announced a budget that seeks to add or increase 88 taxes and user fees. User fees are just … Continue reading →

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New York 4, Indians 3

Posted on December 14, 2008 by Russ

In New York state there’s been a festering battle between state government and Indian tribes regarding cigarette sales. There were several developments last week. Judge Kenneth Fisher of the state Supreme Court (equivalent to a district court in California) ruled … Continue reading →

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Bozo Preparers Running Rampant in New York

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Russ

There are good tax preparers and bad ones. There appear to be plenty of the latter in the Empire State. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance sent some undercover inspectors to various tax professionals in New York. What … Continue reading →

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Depression or Avoidance?

Posted on October 22, 2008 by Russ

There’s a scandal in New York involving the Governor’s Chief of Staff. Charles O’Byrne is Chief of Staff to New York Governor David Paterson. He makes a good salary ($178,500 a year). He also owes $200,000 in back taxes—he didn’t … Continue reading →

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A New York Doctor/Gambler Hits Three Lemons

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Russ

The TaxProf Blog alerted me to an interesting Tax Court case decided earlier this week. Once again the Court looked at whether or not an individual can be a professional gambler when that individual specializes in video poker. In video … Continue reading →

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Crack Tax Redux

Posted on February 17, 2008 by Russ

New York is facing a budget shortfall this coming year. Governor Eliot Spitzer has an interesting idea about how to fill the gap: a crack tax. I’ve written about these taxes before. Many states have these taxes (21 at last … Continue reading →

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Spitzer Abandons Internet Tax

Posted on November 15, 2007 by Russ

It hasn’t been a good year for Governor Eliot Spitzer (D-NY). First, he’s been accused of using state troopers to spy on political opponents. Next, he proposes to give illegal aliens drivers licenses—a measure that’s overwhelmingly not supported by New … Continue reading →

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