New York state lawmakers are considering an unprecedented form of wealth tax as they search for revenues to plug a budget hole exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
A growing coalition of unions, progressive advocacy groups and Democratic officials has endorsed a slate of six revenue bills, including a so-called mark-to-market tax on billionaires, which would require them to pay capital-gains taxes each year as their assets appreciate, even if they don’t sell.
The tax menu also includes increases to income and capital-gains taxes as well as a proposed tax on financial transactions. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, proposed a $1.5 billion income tax hike as part of his $193 billion budget plan, but hasn’t embraced a mark-to-market tax.
Democrats who control the state Assembly and Senate said all measures—including the mark-to-market tax—remain on the table in fiscal talks. The state faces an $8.2 billion deficit.
Opponents said the tax is unworkable and could drive away wealthy people who already pay a large share of state taxes. They also said the proposal might violate a provision of the state constitution, which prohibits ad valorem or excise taxes on intangible personal property, including securities.
Source: WSJ – US News
