The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today encouraged taxpayers to work directly with New York State to resolve any issues related to their tax debt.

The Tax Department has a variety of free resources to help those with outstanding tax debt pay the balance in full, set up a payment plan, or discuss the debt with a representative.
 
“Taxpayers don’t need to hire outside help or enlist the services of a third party to settle their tax debt,” said Executive Deputy Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Andrew Morris. “Unfortunately, some companies stoke fear with misleading information to convince unsuspecting taxpayers to pay exorbitant fees for the same debt-resolution services we offer for free.”

Executive Deputy Commissioner Morris shared this list of common tactics companies and scam artists use to drum up business. These red flags include:

• threats of imminent seizure, foreclosure, or loss of Social Security benefits;
• mail that appears to be from New York State, but upon closer inspection is from a post office in another state;
• the use of threatening terms such as “criminal investigation” or “final notice” that the Tax Department doesn’t use in its correspondence;
• poor spelling, punctuation, and grammar; and
• instructions to call a toll-free number.

The Tax Department understands circumstances can arise that prevent individuals and businesses from paying in full or on time. That’s why it offers opportunities to arrange a payment plan.

Taxpayers should visit the Tax Department’s website at www.tax.ny.gov for information about its Installment Payment Agreement and Offer in Compromise options. Most taxpayers can set up a payment plan directly through the website or using an automated phone system. Both options are free to taxpayers.

In addition, taxpayers can use Tax Department Online Services accounts to make payments from their bank account or via credit card, check balances, respond to notices, update their information, and more.

Visit the Tax Department’s Pay a bill or notice webpage for more information, to set up an account, or log in to an existing account.

Contact the Tax Department: 518-457-5181