Horse Race Admissions Tax

New in 2009:

• New York City now has the authority to adopt rules that require electronic filing of tax returns.
• The interest rate on underpayments has been increased from the federal short-term rate plus five percent to the federal short-term rate plus seven percent.  Also the default rate for underpayments has been increased from six percent to seven and one half percent.
• Certain taxpayers and tax preparers who file using tax software may be required to file electronically and could be subject to civil penalties for failure to do so.
• Provisions detailing crimes applicable to the tax has been redefined to conform to recent New York State revisions.

Who Is Subject To This Tax?
This tax is imposed on all admissions to running horse race meetings that are conducted at race meeting grounds or enclosures that are located wholly or partly within the City of New York.

Tax Rate
Three percent of the admission price

Tax Forms And Filing Requirements
The tax is added to the price of admission and collected from patrons at the time of ticket sale, with the exception of those patrons issued free passes, cards or badges in accordance with specific authority.

The racing association holding the event is required to file a return and pay over the tax collected at the end of each race meet. If the racing association or corporation holding the event fails to collect this tax from the patrons, the corporation or association itself is responsible for paying the amount of the tax, based on daily attendance.

NYC-RAX Horse Race Admissions Tax Return
 Forms and Publications

Legal Authority
Administrative Code for the City of New York, Title 11
New York State Taxation and Finance, Chapter 12