Budget & Taxes

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6002: Excludes certain training stipends for volunteer firefighters from state income tax

S 6002 (Excludes certain training stipends for volunteer firefighters from state income tax) modifies state tax law to exclude specific training stipends received by volunteer firefighters from state income tax. The bill targets stipends paid under Section 200-AA of the General Municipal Law, which are already included in federal taxable income. This means volunteer firefighters will no longer owe state income tax on these training payments. The change applies immediately to the current tax year and all future years. It directly affects volunteer firefighters who receive such stipends for training.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes tax on firefighter stipends, providing direct tax relief for volunteer firefighters, aligning with tax relief indicators for lower/middle income groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4139: Relates to increasing the tax on alcohol

Relates to increasing the tax on alcohol; provides that one hundred percent of the taxes, interest, penalties and fees collected or received by the commissioner shall be allocated to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases alcohol tax revenue, fully allocates to general fund, strengthening state budget management and fiscal resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 63: Allows for the taxation of certain state properties for school tax purposes

This bill allows school districts in western New York to tax certain state-owned land used for correctional facilities, specifically targeting properties in the Alden and Gowanda central school districts (Erie County). It amends tax law to include the land (excluding state-built improvements) of these facilities in the school tax base. The change directly affects those two school districts by potentially increasing their local tax revenue from state-owned properties. The bill requires no further action beyond the tax law amendment and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands school tax base to include state-owned land, increasing revenue for Alden/Gowanda school districts' public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school district tax base by including state-owned land, increasing local education funding without cuts or restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6559: Relates to real property tax exemptions for disabled veterans

S 6559 would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to provide a 100% property tax exemption for veterans who served in combat zones and are 100% permanently disabled due to military service, or their unmarried surviving spouses. This exemption would apply directly to the property tax bill for eligible veterans, bypassing any local limits on standard property tax exemptions. Localities would choose whether to implement this option, and the exemption would apply to properties assessed on or after January 1, 2025. The bill does not require localities to adopt this exemption but provides a new option for those that choose to do so.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing property tax burden, aligning with tax relief for lower-income groups.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides 100% property tax exemption for disabled combat veterans and surviving spouses, directly expanding financial benefits for eligible veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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died · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 8273: Authorizes the town of Gardiner to impose a hotel and motel tax

This bill authorizes the town of Gardiner (in Ulster County) to impose a tax of up to 5% on hotel and motel room rentals for temporary stays (excluding guests staying 90+ consecutive days). It applies to all transient guests at hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and tourist facilities within Gardiner, but exempts government entities, nonprofit organizations, and permanent residents. The tax must be collected by the town's fiscal officer and deposited into Gardiner's general fund to support municipal services and infrastructure. The law includes specific collection procedures and a 2-year expiration date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes new local tax revenue (up to 5% hotel/motel tax) deposited into Gardiner's general fund, directly increasing municipal budget resources for public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 17, 2026

S 4437: Relates to high income personal income tax rates

This bill amends New York State's personal income tax rates for high earners, specifically increasing rates for taxpayers with taxable income over $5 million. It modifies tax brackets for three filing categories (single, head of household, and married filing jointly), raising the top marginal rate from 10.30% to 10.80% for incomes exceeding $5 million starting in 2028. The changes apply to tax years beginning after 2027, with temporary adjustments for 2023-2027. The policy directly affects New York residents with very high incomes, increasing their tax liability under the revised brackets.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases top tax rate (10.30% to 10.80%) for high earners ($5M+ income), aligning with closing tax loopholes and promoting fiscal responsibility for budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2025

S 6756: Relates to the definition of business entity; and relates to the allowance and application of the newspaper and broadcast media jobs tax credit

Includes not-for-profit corporations and public television or radio corporations in the definition of business entity; allows such entities to claim the newspaper and broadcast media jobs tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility to non-profits/public media, providing targeted tax relief for media jobs under tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7264: Establishes catastrophe savings accounts

This bill creates tax-free "catastrophe savings accounts" for homeowners in the state to save for disaster-related costs. It allows taxpayers to deduct contributions (up to specific limits based on their insurance deductible or self-insured amount), earn tax-free interest, and withdraw funds tax-free if used for qualified expenses like hurricane or flood damage repairs. Contributions are capped at $2,000 for low deductibles, up to twice the deductible (max $15,000), or $250,000 for self-insured homeowners. The accounts are protected from legal claims and must be used solely for primary residence disaster costs tied to a state-declared emergency.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deductions and tax-free treatment for disaster savings, offering direct tax relief to homeowners per bill's tax-free account structure90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3135: Repeals the excise tax on medical cannabis and the medical cannabis trust fund

S 3135 repeals the excise tax on medical cannabis sales and eliminates the medical cannabis trust fund established under state law. This bill removes a tax obligation for medical cannabis businesses and ends the dedicated funding stream for the trust fund. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment, impacting both the tax structure for this industry and the state's management of related trust fund resources.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepeals cannabis excise tax and eliminates trust fund, reducing state revenue and defunding dedicated program.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDefunds medical cannabis trust fund, likely a healthcare program, thus defunding public health initiatives.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7795: Requires detailed fiscal impact notes on certain legislation

Requires detailed fiscal impact notes on certain legislation stating the estimated annual cost to the political subdivision affected and the source of such estimate; provides that bills will be invalidated if the funding source is not provided or the fiscal impact results in an annual net additional cost in excess of $10,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal impact notes with funding sources, preventing unfunded mandates and promoting fiscal responsibility per bill's cost limits.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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