NYC Sales Tax: What Is It and How Does It Work?

New York — and New York City in particular — is known for having some of the highest taxes in the United States. NYC residents pay income taxes and sales taxes to both the state and the city, which can make it a bit confusing to figure out how much tax you’re paying to which entity.

The total sales tax rate in New York City is 8.875%. That consists of a 4.5% sales and use tax from the city, a 4% sales and use tax from the state, and a 0.375% Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) surcharge.

Sales taxes apply to retail sales of most goods and services, with a few exceptions, while use tax applies to business purchases from out-of-state vendors that don’t collect state and local sales taxes. (If you buy a printer for your business from a website that doesn’t collect sales taxes, for example, it’s probably subject to city and state use tax.)

State sales taxes apply to any sales made in New York state, city sales taxes apply to any sales made in New York City and MCTD surcharges apply to any sales made in the city, as well as Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester counties.

There are a few exemptions from city and state sales and use taxes, generally involving essential day-to-day goods. The following items are exempt from city, state and MCTD sales taxes:

• Clothing and footwear costing less than $110.

• Unprepared and packaged food.

• Certain items used in clothing manufacturing and repair.

In addition, there are a few other items that are exempt from New York state sales taxes but may still be subject to city and MCTD taxes:

• Beautician, barbering and hair-restoring services.

• Tattooing or permanent makeup.

• Weight control and health salons, gyms, Turkish and sauna baths, and similar places.

If you’re a consumer, NYC sales tax is generally baked into the price of whatever you’re buying — and isn’t something you need to worry about, unless you want to try to deduct it from your income tax liability (more on that in a moment).

Businesses are responsible for actually paying NYC and New York state sales, use and MCTD taxes to the government by filing sales tax returns.

NYC sales and use taxes — as well as the MCTD surcharge — are collected by New York state.

Businesses can file New York sales tax returns on the state’s Sales Tax Web File site^[0]

You can deduct NYC sales tax via the state and local tax (SALT) deduction — but doing so comes with some big caveats. The SALT deduction is only available to taxpayers who choose itemized deductions, is capped at $10,000 for joint filers, and makes you choose between deducting your state and local income taxes or your state and local sales taxes.

Itemizing isn’t right for every taxpayer. It’s a good idea to consult a trusted tax professional, such as a certified public accountant (CPA), to see if it’s right for you.