Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R,C-Staten Island) announced the introduction of Assembly Bill A.10825, legislation designed to provide meaningful tax relief to New York residents who pay tolls while commuting to and from work. The bill would establish a new personal income tax credit for qualifying commuters who regularly rely on New York’s toll roads, bridges and public authority crossings.

Under the proposed legislation, eligible individual taxpayers could receive up to $1,000 annually in tax credits for qualified commuting toll expenses, while eligible joint filers could receive up to $2,000. The measure is specifically aimed at working New Yorkers who consistently incur toll costs as part of their daily commute. The legislation defines a qualified taxpayer as a New York resident who commutes to and from work and pays tolls at least three times per week for at least 45 weeks during the taxable year. Qualified tolls include fees paid for the use of public highways and bridges throughout New York state, including tolls collected by New York public authorities.

“Too many hardworking New Yorkers are being squeezed by the rising cost of simply getting to work. For families across our state, especially in suburban and outer-borough communities, driving is not optional, it’s essential. This legislation recognizes that commuting tolls are a real financial burden and provides direct relief to workers who rely on tolled roadways every single day,” said Reilly.

Reilly noted that many New Yorkers have limited alternatives to driving due to inadequate transit access, nontraditional work schedules, child care obligations, disabilities or geographically dispersed employment opportunities. Working families should not be penalized for doing what they need to do to earn a living. In addition to creating the commuter toll tax credit, the bill includes consumer protections for taxpayers formally disputing toll-related fines, fees or administrative charges. Under the legislation, disputed charges and related monies associated with the commuter toll credit would be frozen pending final resolution of the dispute.