BILL NUMBER: S5647
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to establishing a small busi-
ness tax credit for certain efforts taken to improve such small busi-
ness's facility in an effort to reduce the spread of infectious diseases
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To incentivize businesses to make improvements to their facility in
order to better stop the spread of infectious diseases which will both
improve our State's public health and allow many businesses the ability
to operate in a safer manner.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 would amend section 210-B of the tax law by adding subdivision
55 which would:
Allow a taxpayer that is a small business a credit against taxes imposed
for efforts taken to improve such taxpayer's facility in an effort to
reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Establish the amount of the credit to not exceed five thousand dollars
for each location where new amenities have been constructed, installed,
built and/or equipped.
Allows the tax credit to be carried over to the following three years if
there is leftover credit.
Defines "small business" for this subdivision as any business having
fifty or fewer employees.
Section 2 amends section 606 of the tax law in the same manner as 210-B
was amended.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light how susceptible our State is
to highly communicable diseases and this legislation aims to increase
our protections and preparedness for any current or future infectious
disease outbreak.
As we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, many instances where the
transmission of the virus occurred could have been prevented with simple
measures. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic many business owners
have taken it upon themselves to construct barriers, install new venti-
lation systems, build safer business access points and install touchless
doors, sinks and various other appliances. These upgrades not only
protect these businesses, their employees and customers today but will
do so for many years to come. These changes should be widespread across
all businesses in New York State and the financial support and incentive
from our State Government will help to make this a reality.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.4301 - referred to budget and revenue
2021-22: S.4680, referred to budget and revenue
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
$100 million.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5647: 210-B tax law, 606 tax law, 606(i) tax law