Budget & Taxes

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8936: Relates to unemployment insurance financing reform; repealer

This bill changes how New York employers calculate unemployment insurance taxes by raising the wage base threshold. For most years, it sets a specific dollar limit (e.g., $12,500 for 2024) above which wages are no longer subject to the tax. Starting in 2025, the threshold shifts to 18% of the state’s average annual wage (rounded up to the nearest $100), ensuring the base grows with wage trends. The bill directly affects all employers paying unemployment insurance contributions, altering their tax burden based on updated payroll calculations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adjusts unemployment tax base to grow with wages, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management per its summary.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4714: Relates to the conveyance of certain real property for open space, parks, or historic preservation purposes

Exempts the conveyance of real property for open space, parks, or historic preservation purposes to any not-for-profit tax exempt corporation operated for conservation, environmental, parks or historic preservation purposes from the state real estate transfer tax and the additional tax on real estate transfers of residential real property where the consideration is one million dollars or more.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts specific property conveyances from real estate transfer taxes, providing tax relief for conservation/preservation nonprofits.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts tax on property conveyances for conservation/environmental purposes, directly supporting land preservation efforts95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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signed · New York · Senate May 23, 2025

S 7798: Makes technical changes to the aid to localities budget

S 7798 makes technical adjustments to New York State's 2025-26 aid to localities budget, specifically reallocating $90 million from the General Fund to the "Underserved Communities and Civic Engagement Program." The bill directs funding to seven specific nonprofit organizations, including the Asian American Foundation, New York Urban League, and Catholic Charities Community Services, for services like housing assistance, workforce training, and healthcare in underserved areas. This is a procedural budget modification with no new policy changes, simply adjusting existing allocations. The bill became law on May 23, 2025, and applies immediately to the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates $90M from General Fund to fund housing, workforce, and healthcare services via nonprofits in underserved areas, advancing public service funding within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $90M to nonprofits for housing assistance services in underserved communities, explicitly funding housing programs as part of the Underserved Communities Program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training via nonprofit programs in underserved communities, supporting labor-related workforce development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5958: Relates to net revenue distributed by regional off-track betting corporations

Directs that any net revenue distributed to participating counties or cities by regional off-track betting corporations shall be used exclusively for real property tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects off-track betting revenue to property tax relief, providing tax relief for homeowners and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 556: Provides for certain limited direct interstate shipments of wine for off-premises consumption

This bill allows wine retailers licensed in other states to ship wine directly to New York residents for personal use. It permits up to 36 cases (9 liters each) per year per customer, with strict requirements: shipments must be for personal use only (not resale), recipients must be 21+ and show ID at delivery, and containers must display clear labeling. Retailers must obtain a New York license ($125 annual fee), collect and remit New York sales tax, maintain detailed records, and comply with age verification rules. The law treats direct deliveries as taxable sales within New York, subject to state tax and enforcement by the Liquor Authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates out-of-state wine retailers to collect and remit New York sales tax, directly increasing state tax revenue and supporting budget funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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signed · New York · Senate Aug 7, 2025

S 4543: Extends the mortgage recording tax for Chenango county and relates to the depositing of mortgage recording tax funds into the general fund of the county of Chenango

Extends the mortgage recording tax for Chenango county; relates to the depositing of mortgage recording tax funds into the general fund of the county of Chenango.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends mortgage tax and directs funds to Chenango County's general fund, ensuring continued budgetary support for county operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 303: Relates to the excelsior research and development tax credit

Enacts the "empire innovation act"; provides that a participant in the excelsior jobs program shall be eligible to claim a credit equal to the portion of the full cost of the participant's research and development expenses incurred that relates to the participant's research and development expenditures in New York state during the taxable year; provided however, if the participant receives a federal research and development tax credit calculated on the full cost of the participant's research and development expenses that relates to the participant's research and development expenditures in New York state during the taxable year, then said participant shall only be eligible to claim a credit equal to fifty percent of the portion of the participant's federal research and development tax credit that relates to the participant's research and development expenditures in New York state during the taxable year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides R&D tax credit for businesses, incentivizing innovation and economic growth through state fiscal policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 61: Relates to certain reimbursement rates

Provides that the state shall pay to the city or county operating a facility, including whenever a person confined during proceedings pursuant to article ten of the mental hygiene law has been placed in any county jail or penitentiary, or a city prison operated by a city having a population of one million or more inhabitants, the actual per day per capita cost as certified to the state commissioner of corrections and community supervision by the appropriate local official for the care of such person as approved by the director of the budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state reimbursement to localities for care costs of confined persons, ensuring state funding for essential public services (mental health, corrections). Direct budgetary expenditure supporting public services.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 3457: Relates to human-relevant research funding for scientific testing on animals and establishes the promoting ethical testing solutions fund

Relates to human-relevant research funding for scientific testing on animals to promote human-relevant research alternatives to scientific animal testing and establishes the promoting ethical testing solutions fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes 'promoting ethical testing solutions fund,' creating new government spending allocation for research funding.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4778: Requires the state to reimburse municipalities for loss of real property tax revenue resulting from establishment of community residential facilities

Requires the state to reimburse municipalities for loss of real property tax revenue resulting from the establishment of community residential facilities for the disabled.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state reimbursement for municipal property tax revenue loss, protecting local budgets from fiscal impact of state-mandated facilities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReimburses municipalities for tax loss from disabled housing facilities, enabling development and supporting affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Property Taxes

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