Most states levy a personal income tax on top of the taxes collected by the federal government. The Empire State is one of those states. New York personal income tax laws are relatively straightforward in that they charge a higher rate for high earners than for those earning relatively small incomes. The stated reason for income taxes is to pay for state programs and projects such as public schools and state highways.
New York's personal income tax rates are detailed in the table below. Also, check out State Tax Laws to learn more.
| Code Section | Tax 601, et seq. Ch. 60 §601 |
| Who is Required to File | Individuals, estates and trusts, and nonresidents on income derived from New York sources; Partnerships are not taxable; New York City taxes resident individuals, estates, and trusts on their city taxable income; Partnerships are not taxable (§§11-1701, et seq.); A city income tax surcharge of 5% of net state tax is imposed on resident individuals, estates, and trusts of Yonkers |
| Rate | First $16,000, 4%; Next $6,000, 4.5%; Next $4,000, 5.25%; Next $14,000, 5.9%; Next $110,000, 6.45%; Next $150,000, 6.65%; Over $300,000, 6.85%; (for Tax Year 2012). |
| Federal Income Tax Deductible | No |
| Federal Income Used as Basis | Yes |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a New York tax attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
More Information
For more information on New York’s personal income tax laws, feel free to click on the links provided below which lead to online copies of the New York Code and other related resources. You can also reference FindLaw’s article, Details on State Personal Income Tax Laws, if you’d like to compare New York’s income tax laws against the laws of other states. If you're looking for more general information on taxes or tax law, browse FindLaw’s section devoted to Tax Law.
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Taxes are a particularly complicated area of law, and errors in tax payments can cause a hassle. If you need legal advice or assistance when it comes to dealing with your personal income taxes, you may be best served by consulting with a local tax attorney -- after all, getting professional guidance could save you from a surprise visit from the IRS.
