New York's Electronic Sales Tax Filing Creates Problem For Amish

The Watertown (NY) Times reported yesterday on the problems encountered by the Swartzentruber Amish in New York state since the Department of Taxation and Finance has required that sales taxes be filed electronically rather than by mail.  These Amish furniture makers and shop keepers do not have computers.  They do not have social security cards or telephones either.  Some have received letters warning them of a $50 penalty for each return not filed electronically.  A spokesman for the tax department says that if someone calls them and tells them they do not have computer access, the department will allow the person to continue to file by mail.  However many of the Amish do not use phones. State Sen. Patricia Ritchie has intervened with the tax department on behalf of at least one member of the Amish community, and the department is allowing him to continue filing by mail. [Thanks to Steven H. Sholk for the lead.]