Best Tax Lawyers in Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY Tax FAQs

• Where does the Tax Court hold trial sessions closest to Buffalo, New York?

  There is no permanent court address for tax cases in Buffalo. Check the address indicated in the court notice. The nearest United States Tax Court is at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building at 26 Federal Plaza, New York City 10278.

• Where is the low-income taxpayer clinic that is closest to Buffalo, New York?

  Erie County Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyers Project provides Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic to individuals from Buffalo. Call (716) 847-0662 ext. 316 or the toll-free number at (800) 229-6198 to schedule an appointment. The LITC is located at 438 Main Street, 7th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202.

• If you have questions on property taxes in Buffalo, who do you contact?

  Contact the Assessment & Taxation Department at 716-851-5733 or send an email to COBAssessor@city-buffalo.com. The department's office is located at 65 Niagara Square Buffalo, NY 14202. Should property owners contest their tax assessments, they are given two options to have their assessments reviewed. The first one is an administrative review at the municipal level while the second one is through a court process.

• Can a business owner in Buffalo face criminal charges if they have unpaid sales taxes?

  There are civil and criminal charges for not paying sales taxes in Buffalo. If the business owner has already received an NYS Tax Warrant, there are possibilities of facing criminal charges if the matter is not addressed promptly. It can also lead to the seizure of personal and business assets if the taxpayer is not properly represented by a lawyer or the case is not handled correctly.

• When is a Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) report not needed in Buffalo?

  In Buffalo and throughout the country, there are several situations wherein a Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) report is optional. This is for Nostro accounts and those owned by a government entity and international financial institution. In addition, accounts held at a U.S. military banking facility and by an individual retirement plan would not require the filing of this report.

• Can a taxpayer in Buffalo separate their part of a refund if only their spouse owes taxes?

  The Buffalo taxpayer can file New York Form IT-280 or Nonobligated Spouse Allocation. They are eligible for relief if their income will be reported on a joint return for a refund and only their spouse owes taxes. Form IT-280 will not be applicable in cases wherein taxes owed are legally enforceable.

• What does it mean if a Buffalo taxpayer's refund status requires further review?

  If a Buffalo taxpayer's refund status needs further review, it means the request has been received and is currently being processed. The tax system employs an automated processing tool that scans tax returns for errors and which may further warrant a manual review depending on the findings of the automated tool. A manual review can take some time to be completed. Taxpayers may call the NY Department of Taxation and Finance at 518-457-5149 for amended return status.