Governor Cuomo Announces Program to Suspend NY Driver Licenses of Taxpayers Owing Back Taxes of $10,000 or More

Submitted by Tenenbaum Law on Mon, 08/05/2013 – 13:28

Back in May, we discussed a provision in the 2013-14 NYS budget bill that allows a driver’s license to be suspended if the taxpayer owes to the State $10,000 or more in overdue tax, interest, and penalties. Earlier today, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the program launch in a press release:

Our message is simple: tax scofflaws who don’t abide by the same rules as everyone else are not entitled to the same privileges as everyone else,” Governor Cuomo said. “These worst offenders are putting an unfair burden on the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who are hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers. By enacting these additional consequences, we’re providing additional incentives for the state to receive the money it is owed and we’re keeping scofflaws off the very roads they refuse to pay their fair share to maintain.”

The State is issuing a first round of 16,000 suspension notices. Taxpayers who pay in full or enter into a payment plan within a specified timeframe could avoid license suspension.

Read the Governor’s full press release here.