Electronic filing mandate
New York mandates electronic filing for tax return preparers subject to the mandate in a previous period, or who prepared at least 1 authorized tax document for more than 10 different taxpayers during the calendar year, including tax documents for prior periods, and uses a tax software to prepare 1 or more of these tax documents. Tax documents that can't be e-filed aren't included in the count to determine if the 10 taxpayer threshold has been met.
New York mandates electronic filing for corporations that prepare tax documents themselves, without the assistance of a tax professional, use approved e-file tax software to prepare their return, or use a computer to prepare, document, or calculate an extension or estimated tax payment, and have broadband internet access.
You can electronically file tax documents through software that supports electronic filing or online via the New York State Online Services for Businesses.
Taxpayers can no longer opt-out of electronic filing. If you have good cause to not electronically file, you need to maintain adequate documentation. You will need to give that documentation to New York if your client gets a penalty bill for failing to file the return or extension electronically.
If you don’t file and pay electronically when necessary to do so, the department will impose penalties on both you and your clients.
A $50 per tax document or payment penalty applies to all other taxpayers.
A paper document is subject to the penalty imposed for that tax type for failure to file a return or report.
Any overpayment claimed on a paper tax document that you needed to file electronically isn't eligible to receive interest until you file the document electronically.