Urge Governor Cuomo to Waive NY State Tax on Pandemic Unemployment

Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo,

Please pass the pending legislation to exempt from state tax the first 10k of pandemic unemployment benefits and regular unemployment that is related to the COVID-19 pandemics economic impact. This would match the federal rescue plans partial unemployment tax waiver and follow the good example of many other states that have prioritized the recovery of their residents devastated by the pandemic.

Many families have faced unprecedented financial hardships due to COVID-19 and it’s effect on our economy. Some New York families were not able to set aside taxes from their unemployment benefits and still pay rent, insurance, utilities, food and other necessities. Others were able to set aside taxes, but doing so has created extreme hardship.
New York State received substantial funds from the federal government to distribute and administer enhanced benefits. These enhanced benefits were designed to provide a lifeline to the working people of the United States, they should not be a source of further burdens to the already overburdened. Several states have decided that this is the only way to not compound the financial burden of families and individuals who are already hanging on by a thread. If it is not possible to waive the tax liability from regular state unemployment benefits, please consider waiving taxes resulting from the Federal Pandemic Enhancements.

Thank you for your consideration,
New York State Residents Recovering Financially from the Covid-19 Global Pandem