Maragos: Flaws Found in Nassau Entertainment Tax Collection

Flaws in the Nassau County Treasurer’s collection of entertainment taxes were discovered in a recent audit, according to the Nassau County Comptroller’s office.

Officials found that on multiple occasions, the treasurer’s office did not require event hosts to submit missing tax returns or information missing from filed returns. Tax receipts were also not deposited on time and supporting documents were not examined, authorities said.

The oversights were found in collections of about $2,000,000 in the annual County Entertainment Ticket Surcharge Tax, officials said.

“When our local residents are struggling to pay their property taxes, any weakness in collecting other taxes which can lessen their burden is unacceptable,” said Comptroller George Maragos in a statement.“We are pleased that the Treasurer’s Office has agreed to tighten collections and oversight”

In an earlier review, several errors, which the comptroller said were preventable by performing a review, were found in taxes collected from the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Nassau Coliseum SMG, and NYCB Theatre in Westbury, officials said.