State Sen. Chris Jacobs, a Buffalo-area Republican, is calling for a three-month suspension of sales tax collection from small businesses to give them some breathing room amid the ongoing economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
Jacobs, who is also the GOP nominee for the open NY-27 House seat, has launched a petition on his campaign website calling on the governor to waive the sale tax collection.
"While businesses are closed down, or observing only delivery or takeout options, they are still accumulating costs for the operation of their business,” Jacobs said. “By removing the sales tax burden we can help our small businesses through this economic hardship and ensure they survive to help us rebuild our economy."
The state did not change the last (March 20) deadline for quarterly sales tax collection, but did announce that all penalties and interest charged for late filing would be forgiven.
Melissa Fleischut, the president of the New York State Restaurant Association, a restaurant advocacy group, said the sales relief the state has offered thus far is welcome but only temporary, and her organization will continue to advocate for additional assistance for her members and other small businesses.