Sales tax???

[Ingwall]

Hi!

Our management just sent us a bill for the first month... it has 7% sales tax on it. Does anybody know if this is legal? Renting isn't selling, so how can there be sales tax on residential renting?

Thanks in advance.

[TenantNet]

This is a new one. As you posted in the rent regulated forum, I'm assuming it's a rent regulated unit. No, there's no tax on apartments and he's probably intending to pocket the money. Ignore it - or if you pay, then go to the Attorney General and I'm sure he won't pass it on to the state government. Better yet, go to the press. As horrible as the NY Post can be, it's right up their alley.

[MikeW]

I would forward it to the NYS Dept of Taxation and Finance, and the State Attorney General's office. I would see if any of them are amuse. It could make things interesting for your LL.

[Ingwall]

The lease title is "Rent Stabilized Lease", so it is rent regulated, right?

Do you think it's a good idea to pay them less next month with a letter saying that there was a "sales tax" amount added by mistake and that we overpaid by this amount last month? I'd rather not confront the management outright.