Tax Policy

Tax Policy Brief: Revenue Impact of Higher State Taxes on Capital Gains

In this brief we evaluate three options for increasing the New York State tax rate on long-term capital gains. The options assessed here include: (1) a low surtax rate of 1% and 2%, (2) moderate surtaxes of 2% and 4%, and (3) surtaxes of 7.5% and 15%, as proposed in bill S2162/A2576 sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assembly Member Ron Kim.

2023-09-08T10:24:44-04:00February 6th, 2023|State Budget, Tax Policy|

FPI Statement on FY 2024 Executive Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2023 Media Contact: press@fiscalpolicy.org FPI Statement on FY 2024 Executive Budget   "As we head into a possible recession, it is essential to invest in the public services that stabilize the quality of life and the cost of living for working New Yorkers" ALBANY, NY | February 1, 2023 — Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf today issued the following statement: “While Governor Hochul’s budget recognizes the importance of [...]

2023-09-08T10:47:07-04:00February 2nd, 2023|Press Releases, State Budget, Tax Policy|

Fiscal Policy Institute on State of the State

In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State, Fiscal Policy Institute Executive Director Nathan Gusdorf today issued the following statement: “In her State of the State, Governor Kathy Hochul laid out a wide-ranging agenda that identified many of the crises facing New Yorkers — but was silent on the need for new revenue. The Governor cannot deliver on an agenda to expand affordable housing and healthcare, strengthen our schools, and transition our state to a green economy without new funding. There is no credible vision to rebuild New York after Covid without new revenue."

2023-09-08T10:27:21-04:00January 10th, 2023|Press Releases, State Budget, Tax Policy|

Inequality in New York & Options for Progressive Tax Reform

A new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) finds that New York State is home to the highest concentration of extreme wealth in the United States. New York State also has the greatest income inequality in the United States. In order to understand inequality, we need to look at both income and wealth. By both of these measures, New York is the most unequal state in the nation.

2023-09-08T10:30:11-04:00November 9th, 2022|Must Read, Tax Policy|

Fact Sheet: State and Local Government Employment Has Been Largely Static, With Full-Time Jobs Eliminated in Critical Areas

Full-time employment in state government jobs grew by only 1 percent in New York State between 2010-2019, with the number of those employed totaling just over 236,000 in 2019. At the same time, local government employment decreased by 1 percent for full-time employees, with the number of employed totaling just over 882,000 in 2019, down from 893,000 in 2010. Full-time employment losses in both state and local government affected the areas of health, natural resources, and social and public welfare. Employment losses in health and [...]

A Tax Credit for Working New Yorkers

New York State’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a proven program that working New Yorkers rely on. The EITC keeps more money in workers’ pockets, providing more money to spend on essentials like food, transportation, housing, education, and child care. The EITC is a critical support for workers, their families, local economies, and the state! Before the pandemic, far too many New Yorkers were unable to earn a stable and sufficient income through work. This problem persisted despite the recent increases to our state’s [...]

A Tax Credit for New York State Workers Hit Hardest by the Pandemic

Our state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) keeps more money in workers' pockets, helping them pay for essentials including food, transportation, housing, education, and child care, as well as cover extra expenses. This tax credit is even more beneficial during the pandemic. The New York State Assembly's FY 2022 One-House Budget Proposal includes expanding the state EITC from 30 percent of the federal credit to 40 percent of the federal credit beginning in Tax Year 2021. That is a 25 percent increase to the maximum [...]

2021-03-23T16:43:56-04:00March 23rd, 2021|Blog, State Budget, Tax & Budget, Tax Policy|

One Year Into Pandemic, Thousands Of Excluded Workers Are Still Begging For Relief

This Gothamist article tells the personal story of an excluded worker and the on-going efforts in New York State to create an excluded worker fund. Excluded workers are those who have lost work due to COVID, but have been excluded from any federal or state relief (federal stimulus or state unemployment due to their immigration status or recent incarceration. “The need is urgent,” said David Dyssegaard Kallick, director of the Fiscal Policy Institute’s Immigration Research Initiative. “Unemployment insurance has been a lifesaver to so many [...]

Report Finds $3.5B Needed for Aiding Excluded Workers During Pandemic

The New York State Senate and Assembly both supported creating a fund to provide unemployment insurance to workers who are excluded from the unemployment insurance system, primarily undocumented immigrants and people leaving incarceration during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both houses included $2.1 billion in their one-house budgets. The report shows that while $2.1 billion is an impressive signal from the legislature, $3.5 billion is the amount that is needed to match the minimum benefits other workers receive and to continue that aid through the end of [...]

Unemployment Compensation for Excluded Workers: $3.5 Billion Needed for 2020 and 2021

The New York State Assembly and Senate both support creating a fund to provide unemployment insurance to workers who are excluded from the unemployment insurance system, primarily undocumented immigrants and people leaving incarceration during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both houses included $2.1 billion in their one-house budgets this week, the starting points for negotiating the final state budget. This is an impressive commitment to a critical priority. However, matching the minimum level of benefits that other unemployed New Yorkers receive and extending the aid through the [...]

“Legislature Supports $2.1 Billion in Aid to Excluded Workers; Report Shows $3.5 is Needed”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2021 Media Contact: communications@fiscalpolicy.org, 518-786-3156 “Legislature Supports $2.1 Billion in Aid to Excluded Workers; Report Shows $3.5 is Needed” Read FPI’s report: Unemployment Compensation for Excluded Workers: $3.5 Billion Needed for 2020 and 2021 (Albany, NY) – New York State may be on the brink of providing unemployment benefits to workers who are currently excluded from the state’s unemployment insurance fund. The New York State Assembly and Senate both support a fund of $2.1 billion to extend benefits to undocumented [...]

New York lawmakers propose tax increases on the rich. Here’s who would pay up

The New York State Senate passed its one-house budget resolution which includes raising the tax rate on those earning over $1 million a year. The Assembly supports this tax reform as well. "Big challenges require bold action and demand a combination of transformative vision and concrete commonsense response," said Jonas Shaende, chief economist for the Fiscal Policy Institute, a liberal think tank in Albany.  "The Legislature’s proposals show their willingness to consider a broad array of measures to ensure New Yorkers’ health and well-being." Read the Gannett article which appears in lohud and [...]

Tax opponents wonder if they still can count on Gov. Cuomo

As the state budget process progresses, both houses released their one-house budget proposals which include increased taxes for top earners and corporations. Critics contend these tax reforms are not needed due to federal aid. Advocates point out the long-standing need for tax reform to set the state on the right course. "The legislature’s proposals recognize the need for support to ensure all New Yorkers can live, work, access health care, and receive a sound education," the labor-backed Fiscal Policy Institute said. Read the Newsday article [...]

Go to Top