Griffo: Proposals by legislative majorities to tax streaming services such as Netflix, add fees to Amazon and other deliveries and place additional surcharge on ride-share services like Uber are 'outrageous'

As budget negotiations continue, New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, is raising the alarm about several hidden taxes, fees and surcharges proposed by the legislative majorities that will make life more expensive for many New Yorkers. 

Users of Netflix, Hulu, Spotify and other digital subscription streaming media services could see an additional 8% tax – 4% state sales tax and an additional 4% local sales tax – added onto their bill as a part of a proposal Assembly Democrats unveiled in their recent one-house budget. This new tax would be added to the cost to use a variety of digital streaming products, including TV services, audiobooks, podcasts, online gaming, and music.  

At the same time, the Assembly Majority also has proposed making Amazon and other deliveries more expensive by applying a 25-cent fee to every delivery transaction in the state, including online and in-store purchases. 

Additionally, the Senate Majority has proposed a 50 cent per ride surcharge on transportation network rides such as Uber and Lyft.  

“The proposals by the legislative majorities that would increase taxes and add on fees and surcharges are outrageous but not surprising,” Sen. Griffo said. “For the last several years, we have seen the majorities and governor propose and support budgets that they claim will provide real relief to residents and families in our state. In reality, these unsustainable budgets have included increased taxes and fees. Many New Yorkers and families face significant financial hardships and struggle to make ends meet. Proposals like this don’t help. We need policies and approaches that cut taxes, reduce regulations, provide for more economic opportunity and will make our state more affordable overall, or we will continue to see thousands of New Yorkers flee each year.” 

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