Bill > S08878

This bill, known as the "New York State Food Rescue Tax Credit Act," establishes a tax credit for businesses that donate surplus food to eligible nonprofit food assistance organizations, aiming to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity. An "eligible nonprofit food assistance organization" is a registered charity that primarily rescues, recovers, or distributes food to those in need. An "eligible taxpayer" includes any business involved in the sale, manufacture, or distribution of food in New York. The credit allows businesses to claim 65% of the fair market value of "qualified food donations" – food fit for human consumption that meets specific nutrition and safety standards set by the Department of Agriculture and Markets – plus 100% of documented transportation and storage costs associated with these donations. This credit is refundable, meaning businesses can receive it back if it exceeds their tax liability, and it can also be transferred to another eligible taxpayer. There's a statewide cap of $75 million annually for these credits, with individual businesses limited to claiming $1.5 million per year. The bill also mandates the development of a statewide food rescue training program and a data dashboard to track the impact of these efforts, and requires the Department of Taxation and Finance to establish reporting platforms and publish annual reports on the program's effectiveness.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8878