New York SBDC Research Network

From the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Whether sales of a particular good or service are taxable may depend on many factors. Sales of tangible personal property are subject to New York sales tax unless they are specifically exempt. The term tangible personal property means any kind of physical personal property that has a material existence and is perceptible to the human senses (in other words, something you can see and touch). Sales of services are generally exempt from New York sales tax unless they are specifically taxable You should not collect sales tax on exempt sales that do not require an exemption document. However, for sales that require an exemption document, you must collect sales tax unless you receive a properly completed exemption document from the purchaser.

From the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Office of Counsel Advisory Opinion Unit The Department of Taxation and Finance received a Petition for Advisory Opinion from [the name and address redacted]. Petitioner asks whether its membership application fee and dues for business entities and individuals to become and remain members of Petitioner are subject to sales tax. Based on the facts presented, Petitioner’s membership application fee and dues are not dues of a social or athletic club and are not subject to State or local sales tax imposed by section 1105(f)(2) of the Tax Law.

From Suzanne Reusch, Taxpayer Service Specialist The overall goal of the NYS Tax Department is for all taxpayers to voluntarily pay the correct amount of tax, at the right time. The New York State Tax Department will partner with New York’s businesses to help them comply with their tax responsibilities in the easiest and most efficient way. The New York State Tax Department features a growing list of electronic services that promote self-service, making it easier for customers to conduct business with the department at their convenience. Online Services with NYS Tax Recommend that all businesses sign up for subscription services to: • Obtain new postings of Tax specific technical guidance documents • Receive press releases and News • Each business should create an online service account: • File and pay taxes (sales tax mandated) • Respond to department notices • Change your business address/phone number • Sign up for E-mail alerts to receive account email alerts abou

I wrote a piece last week with a similar theme, but it bears repeating. Every day, I get an email from the National Federation of Independent Business, providing links to recent news stories on a whole spectrum of small business-related trends. Lately, every day there's another article with a title that indicates the overall angry mood of our nation's entrepreneurs. Here are two new ones: No Small Differences Over Obama’s Treatment of Small Business (from the "Front Row Washington" blog on the Reuters website) Obama's Budget to Raise Small-Business Taxes (from an opinion piece by Donald Lambro, in the Washington Times ) And then this, with a much different point of view: FACT CHECK: GOP Adrift on Small Business Claim The numbers are so politicized, it's difficult to ascertain what's truth, and what is just spin. Anyone have a story from an actual business owner, who can compare and contrast his or her return from this year to one in the recent past? I