Businesses that received city fines during the pandemic can now apply for a discount. The city’s Fine and Interest Reduction Recovery program will allow individuals and businesses to apply for a discount of up to 75% on delinquent fines issued by city agencies – including the Sanitation, Fire and Buildings departments. The temporary program began in September and ends Dec. 20.
The Department of Finance sent letters to homeowners and businesses with delinquent city fines to notify them of the program in September.
The discount that participants may receive varies. Individuals and businesses with violations that went into judgment after March 7, 2020, and before June 20 of this year, that did not receive a default penalty, are eligible to receive a 75% discount off the base fine and interest. Businesses and individuals with a violation that went into judgment before March 7, 2020, are still eligible for some form of discount, albeit on a smaller scale at 25% off the base fine and interest. If an individual received a judgment that contains a default penalty for not attending a hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, however, that individual will receive only the reduction of the default penalty and interest.
Source: Crain’s New York Business
