Senator Marchione Cosponsors Senate Bill To End “Double Taxation” of Military Members

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2013

Contact: Josh Fitzpatrick, (518) 455-2381; fitzpatr@nysenate.gov   

SENATOR MARCHIONE SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO END DUPLICATIVE VEHICLE TAXES FOR RETURNING MILITARY MEMBERS

Senator Marchione adds her name as a cosponsor of Senate bill that would stop the “double taxation” of military members who keep their residency in New York State  

Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) today joined her colleague Senator John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse), Assembly Members William Colton (D-Brooklyn) and Will Barclay (R-Pulaski), and other state legislators, at a press conference in Albany to call attention to, and help end, instances of “double taxation” facing members of the military as they return home. 

Under current law, New York residents who purchase a vehicle outside of the state are required to pay sales and use tax upon registering the vehicle. Military service members often keep their residency and driver’s license in their home state while serving because of their intention to someday return. Unfortunately, in keeping their residency in New York, service members upon return are subject to paying New York’s sales and use tax on a vehicle they purchased while stationed outside the state. This means that a newly discharged veteran is faced with paying these taxes twice, regardless of whether or not they can prove that he or she already paid them. 

In order to remedy such instances of double taxation, Senator DeFrancisco has introduced legislation – and Senator Marchione is adding her name as a cosponsor of the measure – Senate Bill S.4170 which would exempt members of the military from having to pay these taxes twice.    This legislation would correct the situation of double taxation by providing an exemption, so long as the military member can provide proof of payment of sales and use tax in the purchasing state. The Senate measure has an Assembly companion, Assembly Bill A.6223. 

“Our nation is forever grateful for the heroism of the members of our armed forces who sacrifice, serve and make a positive difference here at home, and across the world. It is ridiculous, and utterly indefensible, that members of our military would face ‘double taxation’ on vehicle purchases out of state simply because they chose to keep their residency here in the Empire State. We need to address and correct this unfairness immediately, which is why I will be adding my name as cosponsor of this legislation introduced by my colleague Senator John DeFrancisco and will push for its passage before Session concludes. There is so much we owe our veterans – ending an instance of double taxation is one of the many ways we can, and should, show our gratitude,” Senator Marchione said.

Marchione was elected last fall to represent the 43^rd Senatorial District, which includes parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington Counties, and all of Columbia County.

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