Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) announced today that legislation to put an end to duplicative vehicle sales taxes for members of the military passed the legislature today. The Senate passed the legislation earlier this month. It will be sent to the Governor.

Assemblymen Colton, Barclay, and Senator John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) introduced (A.6223/S.4170), which exempts members of the military from having to pay sales and use taxes on vehicles in New York, upon returning to New York.

Under current law, New York residents who purchase a vehicle out of state are required to pay sales and use taxes to New York upon registering the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Military service members often keep their residency and driver license in their home state while serving because of their intention to someday return. Unfortunately, in keeping residency in New York, service members upon return are subject to paying New York’s sales and use taxes on a vehicle they purchased while stationed outside the state. This means that a newly discharged veteran is faced with paying these taxes twice—once with the state where they purchased the vehicle and then again upon returning to New York.

“I am pleased this passed the Assembly today. Our men and women of the military deserve respect and appreciation when they return to civilian life—not taxes and fees,” said Barclay. “Many of them risk their lives for our country and freedoms. Transitioning from military to civilian life is difficult enough. The least we can do is remove these sales and use taxes. I was pleased to work with my colleagues from across the aisle to pass this legislation.”