Senator Fuschillo Supports Legislation to Repeal Mta Payroll Tax for Counties, Towns, and Villages

        Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo (second right) joins with Senator Jack Martins (third right) and Senator Lee Zeldin (second left), Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano (center), Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (third left), Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray (right), and Garden City Mayor Donald Burdie (left) in supporting legislation to exempt municipalities from paying the MTA payroll tax.

        Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today joined with Senator Jack Martins and Senator Lee Zeldin in support of legislation to exempt counties, towns, and villages from having to pay the MTA payroll tax. The three Senators were joined by a host of county, town and village officials, including Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, all of whom urged passage of the legislation.

       “The MTA payroll tax has discouraged job creation and raised costs on local governments and taxpayers. Last December, we took a great first step by repealing the MTA payroll tax for 80 percent of employers. Now we need to take another step forward by exempting local governments to reduce their costs and save taxpayers money. That’s what this legislation would do, and I’m pleased to support it,” said Senator Fuschillo.

        Last December, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation supported by Senator Fuschillo to repeal the MTA payroll tax for all employers with an annual payroll of $1.25 million and all public and non-public schools. This accounted for approximately 80 percent of the entities paying the tax. However, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, along with many Long Island towns and villages, have a payroll over that threshold and must still pay the tax.

        The legislation would exempt counties, villages, and towns from paying the MTA payroll tax. Repealing the tax would provide millions of dollars in relief for municipalities, saving taxpayer dollars.