Volunteers Charged New York State Income Tax, wow I did not see that one coming. The final point raised during our conversation was the taxing of volunteers by New York. Yes, this is the third and final installment of a conversation I had with a friend about Governor Cuomo.
The topic started out about taxing volunteers in time Samaritan Purse became part of the discussion. This was something that I knew nothing about so I had no position. But I felt the need to look into this. If true this is just wrong.
Note: If you’re just tuning in this is the final installment of a conversation begun two installments ago. To read the previous installments click on the following links.
1: Governor Cuomo Covid-19 And The Timeline Challenge
2: Is Governor Cuomo Responsible For Nursing Home Deaths In New York
Volunteers Charged With New York State Income Tax
The Facts Just The Facts
It didn’t take much to verify the tax law. All volunteers in New York for more than 14 days are subject to state income tax. That includes volunteers that were here for 911. Samaritan Purse was not and will not be the last volunteer to face this tax.
As for the principals of Samaritan Purse pro or con that is not a conversation for this article. Nor is the subject of how God would react. The subject is taxation and nothing else.
Volunteers Charged New York State Income Tax UGH!
I found many articles covering this provision in New York’s tax law. These two articles say it all.
Health care workers that went to NY amid pandemic have to pay state income taxes, Cuomo says.
Excerpt: Medical professionals that came to New York at the state’s request will be required to pay state taxes — even if an employer in their home state paid them for their time in New York.
Excerpt 1: Health care heroes who came from around the country to help fight the coronavirus outbreak in New York will still have to pay state income taxes, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The taxes would also affect Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian aid organization that set up a temporary hospital in Central Park.
“We’re not in a position to provide any subsidies right now because we have a $13 billion deficit,” Cuomo said during his daily press briefing Tuesday. “So there’s a lot of good things I’d like to do, and if we get federal funding, we can do, but it would be irresponsible for me to sit here looking at a $13 billion deficit and say I’m gonna spend more money, when I can’t even pay the essential services.”
Excerpt 2: The issue first arose when Samaritan’s Purse was setting up its emergency field hospital, according to New York City-based PIX11 News. The charity’s comptroller noticed that a New York state law requires anyone working in the state for more than 14 days to pay income tax.
Excerpt 3: And he (Governor Cuomo) placed at least some of the blame for not getting those funds on Senate Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has opposed so-called blue state bailouts — and he rankled Cuomo last month when he suggested that states be allowed to declare bankruptcy instead.
So let’s look at the facts
Sad but true that volunteers charged New York State Income Tax is a thing. This is a tax law and is not aimed at any particular group. As a New Yorker, I apologize to the volunteers.
Cold Hard Truth
Now that we have faced this unpleasant item, let’s look at some cold, hard truths. Yes. It’s time to put on the big boy, big girl pants.
It was the comptroller for Samaritan Purse that informed the group of the tax law. The comptroller told them that they would have to pay state income tax if they stayed for more than 14 days. Coming and staying to help was their choice. If they felt the tax was unfair, they could have left on day 13. That’s the cold, hard truth of the situation.
Another cold, hard truth is that this is a political issue. Governor Cuomo repeatedly requested State funds to help New York. Mitch McConnell and Mr. Trump refused this request. With Mr. McConnell suggesting that New York go bankrupt. This leaves no funds to offset the financial burden the city is in because of COVID-19.
The last cold, hard truth Governor Cuomo used this tax provision to bail out New York.
Conclusion
State Income Tax can be charged to Samaritan Purse and any volunteer that is in New York for more than 14 days.
Like the other volunteers, Samaritan Purse became a victim of the federal government’s lack of leadership. And let’s not forget partisanship.
As for the tax on volunteers, I disagree with it. Why any state would have such a provision is beyond me. This is why, with the power invested in me, I suggest the following.
The Good Samaritan Tax Deferment Rule
Under this rule, volunteers answering New York’s call for assistance are exempt from city or state income tax. Furthermore, New York will not pay any wage. But will provide room and board for the volunteer (s) while they are in service to the state. This will extend for seven days (7) after service has ended. This is so the volunteer (s) can make plans to return to their previous lives.
This applies to volunteers living in or outside of New York State.
This provision was made because New York State recognizes the need for volunteers in times of emergency. And it commends their sacrifice. As COVID-19 has shown, we cannot do it all by ourselves.
Can this rule hurt New York financially as seen by the Covid-19 pandemic? Yes, it can. But the alternative is to drive away those who would come to our rescue. Taking money from those that risk their lives to save ours is just plain wrong. We can do better. And we will recover. We are New York.
Note to Governor Cuomo: I know money is important to run a state, but in a fight for your life, you can’t let money stand in the way of survival.
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