NYS SALES TAX & NEXUS SEMINAR - Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Topic: NYS SALES TAX & NEXUS Moderators: Michael Rubinstein, CPA & Gary Sanders, CPA Speakers: Robert Markman, CPA & Mark Stone, CPA Credits: 2 CPE/MAP Location: On Parade Diner, Woodbury Time: Registration: 7:30 AM Program: 8:00 - 10:00 AM Cost: On or before Friday, Feb. 19 - $20.00 After Friday, Feb. 19 - $30.00

Other News

Beginning on January 15, 2010 and ending on March 15, 2010, New York State will be running a Tax Amnesty program. While not calling it amnesty (it’s called “P.A.I.D.”), almost anyone that owes New York State back taxes can settle the amount due for less than the current balance if the debt is more than three (3) years old.

Specifically if the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance issued an assessment prior to December 31, 2006, the Department will settle the amount due for 50% of the interest and 50% of the penalties (plus all the tax) that is currently due. If the assessment was issued prior to December 31, 2003 the Department will settle the amount due for 20% of the interest and 20% of the penalties (plus all of the tax) that is currently due. The settlement must be paid in full to the Department by March 15, 2010. Most, but not all, Taxpayers and assessments are eligible for the program if they meet the time period requirements.

The Department issued additional positive news that there is a new Taxpayer Advocate’s office. This office has now begun helping individuals and businesses by addressing specific critical issues and by correcting systematic problems with the Department. To request help on a specific matter, New York State form DTF-911 should be completed. It appears as if the State is attempting to model their advocate’s office after the IRS Taxpayer Advocate’s office. Additionally, Taxpayers can still use the State’s Voluntary Disclosure Program, Request Penalty Abatement, or Dispute an Assessment with the Bureau of Conciliation and Mediation Services. When you have a tax problem there are many ways to address and solve it, running from it never helps!

If you need help with a Sales and Use Tax problem, please call us so we can help you use the tools that are available to solve the issue.

Recent Success:
A Taxpayer was recently assessed almost $50,000 in use tax, interest, and penalties on a boat that was purchased out of state many years ago. Even without the Bill of Sale, Sales Tax Defense LLC was able to have that amount reduced through research and hard-fought negotiations with New York State Department of Taxation. The assessment was reduced to approximately $22,000 in tax and interest; all penalties were abated. Saving the client almost $28,000!

Similarly, Sales Tax Defense was able to have a use tax assessment stemming from the purchase of another boat reduced from approximately $40,000 in tax, interest, and penalties reduced to approximately $6,500 in tax and interest; again, all penalties were abated. A savings of $34,500!

Note: Nothing on this website should be interpreted to be legal, tax, or accounting advice. Every business or person should obtain detailed advice as applied to a specific transaction or hypothetical fact pattern.