Online activity generates immense trails of data. Websites, apps, and services collect information on behaviors, interests, and purchases as well as other sensitive data such as Social Security and driver’s license numbers or health information.

The State Office of Information Technology Services says New Yorkers can keep their personal information private and secure, preventing identity theft and fraud by doing the following:

• File promptly using e-file and direct deposit of your tax refund. Filing your tax returns as soon as possible can reduce the likelihood that an identity thief will be able to claim a fraudulent tax refund using your stolen information. Filing electronically is also safer, faster, and more efficient than sending paper returns through the mail.

Visit the State Tax Department website at tax.ny.gov to review different Free File options.

• Protect data and documents used to prepare your return. Keep sensitive personal information and documents safe during and after the filing process and delete or shred once no longer needed.

Be wary of phishing schemes, including texts, unsolicited emails and telephone calls asking for personal information. Never share personal information, such as your Social Security number, in response to an unsolicited email or telephone call. If the email or call claims to be from a company with which you do business, call it first to confirm the contact is legitimate.

Scammers will also use scare tactics and threats related to tax debt to get you to share your personal and financial information.

Be cautious about the information shared on social media. Avoid posting birthdates, telephone numbers, home addresses, or images that identify employment or hobbies.

• Use strong passwords.

If you’re a victim or believe you may be a victim of tax-related identity theft, alert the State Tax Department immediately at https://www.tax.ny.gov/help/contact/fraud/.

The Hire-a-Veteran Tax Credit, which is administered through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, can be worth up to $20,000 for eligible New Yorkers. Veterans may also be eligible for additional local tax exemptions that could lower their property tax bills by up to 50 percent.

Both categories of exemption allow the percentage of the exemption to be increased to as high as 50 percent if the veteran was disabled because of his or her military service.

The Department of Taxation and Finance also provides property tax relief based on the amount of eligible funds that the veteran invested in the property. Thanks to recent legislation, school districts are now authorized to offer each of these exemptions.

Of the 679 school districts statewide, 288 now grant at least one of the available veterans’ exemptions.
Because the types and amounts of exemptions offered and application deadlines vary, veterans should contact their local assessor’s office for details on how to obtain these valuable tax benefits.

The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will soon begin sending direct financial assistance to 1.75 million New Yorkers who received the Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit on their 2021 state tax returns. New Yorkers can expect to receive their checks by the end of October.

Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature approved the Additional NYS Child and Earned Income Tax Payment as part of the 2023 Budget. The program will provide an average payment of $270 per eligible recipient. Eligible New Yorkers do not need to take any action to receive their checks. Checks will be mailed automatically.

New Yorkers who have recently moved should update their address with the Department of Taxation and Finance to prevent delays in receiving their checks. To do so, they can create an account on the Department’s website and follow on-screen instructions to complete required fields and save their updated address. The website to do that or check your tax relief eligibility can be found here: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/child-earned-payments.htm

To be eligible for the 2022 Enhanced STAR property tax exemption, seniors must:
– currently receive the Basic STAR property tax exemption;
– have one owner of the property who will be at least 65 years of age by December 31, 2022; and
– have had 2020 income equal to or below $92,000.

Eligible seniors should apply to their assessor’s office by March 1.

In 2021, 577,000 seniors received a total of more than $800 million in savings from the Enhanced STAR property tax exemption.

Seniors who receive the STAR credit instead of the STAR exemption don’t need to apply or take any other action. The Tax Department will automatically upgrade them to Enhanced STAR if they qualify.

For more information, Seniors can contact the Tax Department’s STAR Hotline from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at 518-457-2036.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance states if your 2021 income is $73,000 or less, you can file both your federal and New York State returns at no cost through the Tax Department website using Free File.

The department said nearly 255,000 taxpayers used this software last year, which saved them a combined $51 million in tax preparation fees.

Those who make over $73,000 can visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/other-efile-options.htm for other filing options.

When you’re ready to file, the Department of Taxation and Finance suggests you first gather information and documentation. If you received unemployment compensation, remember to request a Form 1099-G from the Department of Labor.

After you file, get the most up-to-date information about your refund and your return at https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/refund.htm or, if necessary, call (518) 457-5149.

Andy Goodell

ALBANY – Assemblyman Andy Goodell (R-Ellicott) recently introduced legislation that would make it easier for taxpayers to register to vote.

The legislation would allow taxpayers to register to vote when they file their State income tax returns, pay their property taxes, or file the paperwork to purchase a new house.

Goodell said the legislation would build on the success of the motor-voter program, where residents can register to vote at Department of Motor Vehicles offices when they renew their licenses and vehicle registrations. The DMV then electronically transmits the relevant information to the Board of Elections. Under Goodell’s legislation, the State Department of Taxation and local tax collectors would follow a similar system, electronically transmitting the necessary information to the Board of Elections.

ALBANY – State lawmakers are proposing legislation to create a state-operated private fund to help survivors of child sex crimes pursue civil cases against their alleged abusers.

According to the Albany Times Union, the legislation is being spearheaded by Democratic Sen. James Gaughran of Long Island. It would create a “Child Victim Foundation Fund” run jointly by the Department of Taxation and Finance, the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the comptroller’s office.

New Yorkers would be able to donate to the fund when they file their taxes, and people convicted of child sex crimes would contribute to the pool in the form of a $1,000 fine.

Under the proposal, the state would also allocate grants to nonprofit organizations that help survivors litigate child abuse claims.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance says 55 year-old Jack Kincaid was arrested last Thursday at 200 Crescent Street, where he ran a small shop.

Kincaid was allegedly in possession of more than 120 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, 475 cigars, and 200 tobacco wrappers. In addition, he had over $13,700 in cash.

Kincaid was arrested and charged with criminal tax fraud, as well as possession or transport with the intent to sell more than $10,000 worth of untaxed cigarettes.

He was arraigned and sent to the county jail.