New York tax laws can be complex and confusing, often resulting in unintentional errors or omissions on tax returns. If you find yourself in such a situation, you may be eligible for New York’s tax amnesty program—a voluntary program designed to help taxpayers resolve their outstanding tax liabilities while reducing penalties and interest.
How Does Tax Amnesty Work?
Tax amnesty is a limited-time opportunity for a specified group of taxpayers to pay a defined amount in exchange for forgiveness of a tax liability relating to previous tax periods without fear of legal consequences. It’s a mechanism used by governments to increase tax compliance and revenue intake while ensuring both individual and business participants can resolve outstanding tax issues while avoiding litigations or further collection activities.
Types of Tax Amnesty Options in New York
There is no federally supported tax amnesty program, which means tax amnesty will vary from state to state. Additionally, because it is a temporary opportunity, the program can have different requirements from year to year. That is why many states offer permanent programs in conjunction with or instead of tax amnesty options.
New York offers:
- Voluntary Disclosure Program: This offers additional opportunities for taxpayers to correct past noncompliance. Similar to tax amnesty, it allows taxpayers who have not filed required returns, or who have filed incorrect returns, to come forward voluntarily to correct these issues. Once accepted into the program, taxpayers are required to pay the full amount of tax owed, but penalties are waived, and the look-back period is limited. Importantly, participants are protected from criminal prosecution for the tax liabilities disclosed.
- Offer in Compromise Program: This program is designed for individuals and businesses that have substantial unpaid tax debts and are unable to pay them in full. In this scenario, the state of New York may agree to accept a smaller amount than is owed. The exact amount is determined through a comprehensive review of the taxpayer’s income, expenses, assets, and overall ability to pay. By accepting a “compromise,” the state acknowledges the taxpayer’s financial difficulty while recovering as much of the tax debt as feasible.
New York State’s Department of Taxation and Finance will have additional information about current tax amnesty and relief options. It’s important to note that not all taxpayers qualify for these programs, and working with a tax attorney can offer you a deeper understanding of eligibility.
Why Choose Sales Tax Helper LLC for Assistance with New York’s Tax Amnesty?
At Sales Tax Helper LLC, our team of seasoned tax professionals will review your specific situation, assess your eligibility, and help you take advantage of the potential savings offered by the state of New York. We help individuals and businesses alike navigate complex tax issues, and we can walk you through the amnesty application process from start to finish as well as provide tax relief alternatives if applicable.
Call our team today at (866) 458-7966 or reach out online to learn more about how we can assist with your tax matters.