Finance Guidance

Finance provides several types of official reports, rulings, and documents.  Taxpayers and tax practitioner’s can get information on the agency's administration and interpretation of tax law and past tax decisions.

Finance Memoranda
The Legal Affairs Division writes memoranda to advise taxpayers and tax professionals of current Finance positions and/or procedures on specific issues.  Memoranda are non-legal and non-binding.  They do provide helpful information about specific issues.

Updates on Audit Issues
The Tax Audit, Policy & Enforcement (TAPE) Division has identified frequently asked questions from taxpayers and provides answers and updates.

Statements of Audit Procedure (SAPs)
Selected procedures are offered by TAPE to show what is required for desk and field audits of NYC business taxes.

Statements of Assessment Procedure
Procedures are offered by the Property Division to explain how NYC Assessors value property.

Redacted Letter Rulings
The Legal Affairs Division explain laws and rules on specific matters based on letters they receive from the public.  These rulings are provided in redacted (edited) form to protect the taxpayer name and their specific information.

Rule-Making Actions
Finance is responsible for issuing a new rule or amending a previously issued rule regarding NYC tax laws.  The City Charter requires Finance to offer the proposed rule change for public comment.

Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Requests
All government agencies are required by law to make many types of records available to the public under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). There are exceptions. For example, Finance maintains many records that are secret under City, State, or federal tax law. This information can not be released because it would violate an individual's personal privacy.