New York State Requires Renewal of Sales Tax Certificate of Authority
Legislation passed by the New York State Legislature in April of 2008 amending current tax law requires that all businesses renew their Sales Tax Certificate of Authority. It also requires $50 if your business is a monthly or quarterly filer which is essentially all businesses.
Let’s break this down to the most simple logic possible. When you start a business that sells taxable goods or services you have to apply for a NYS Sales Tax Certificate of Authority. The State Department of Taxation and Finance issues you a certificate with a filing number that you utilize every time you file your sales tax returns. Most businesses have had this certificate for years or decades without ever having to renew them. The State doesn’t give any legitimate explanation on the notice to businesses other than stating “It’s that easy!”. There is no logical reason why the state needs to have these renewed. This is just a guise to suck x number of dollars out of x number of businesses during a budget crisis. Nothing more and nothing less. To be frank, I’m absolutely sick and tired of backdoor, late night legislative insertions into bills that continue to nickle and dime businesses, individuals, motor vehicle owners, smokers, drinkers, eaters…hell everyone!
While I’m sick to my stomach to think that these elected representatives don’t have a clue to their role in the decline of this state, my resolve has never been stronger. I will not back down. I will not shut up. I will not tuck in my tail and move as many have before me. Stand up Utica. Stand up Mohawk Valley. Stand up New York State! Stand up and take back what is yours! Tell these so called “representatives” of your state that you’ve had enough. Make phone calls to them. Schedule meetings with them. If they don’t listen to you, throw them out come election day every two years. If not; if you’ve become accustomed to the status quo; if you’re too apathetic to do anything about it, then just sit down, shut up, stop complaining and be prepared to continue to watch your state crumble around you.
Source: NYS Tax & Finance
