ALBANY—Eliminating New York's ton mileage tax would help New York move its recovery into a much faster lane, and New York's business community is delighted that the state Senate has acted today to do that.
New York is one of only six states that impose the ton mileage tax. The closest state that imposes such a tax is Georgia. This means that New York's neighboring and competing states are significantly more attractive to businesses that operate or rely on trucks for transportation of raw materials and/or finished goods.
This tax affects not just the trucking industry. Any company that owns or operates trucks larger than pick-up trucks must pay this tax, which is based on miles driven and the gross tonnage of the truck.
Paying this tax involves odious, time-consuming and costly paperwork even for taxpayers that owe relatively little. What's more, it is relatively easy (and common) for out-of-state companies to simply sidestep this tax. This further intensifies the competitive disadvantage faced by New York State companies that rely on trucking.
The Business Council urges the Assembly to join the Senate in moving to eliminate this needless burden on business and to continue the Legislature's historic commitment to tax reduction of the last several years.
The Business Council is New York's largest broad-based business group, representing some 4,000 member companies large and small across the state. Based in Albany, it lobbies for a better business climate, and offers cost-cutting services to its members.
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