New York Yonkers Local Tax Guide 2026: The Surcharge NYC Commuters Don't Expect

Yonkers is the fourth-largest city in New York State and a major commuter hub for New York City. Located in Westchester County, it sits directly north of the Bronx and is served by Metro-North's Hudson Line. For workers and residents, Yonkers imposes two separate local income taxes that significantly increase the combined tax burden — and because they're filed as part of the New York State return (not a separate local return), many new residents don't realize they're paying them until they file.

The Yonkers resident surcharge is 16.75% of your New York State income tax liability. This is not 16.75% of your income — it's 16.75% of the state tax you already calculated. If your NY State income tax is $10,000, the Yonkers surcharge adds $1,675. At the top New York State rate of 10.9%, a Yonkers resident's combined state + local rate is approximately 12.7% — comparable to living in New York City itself (NYC charges 3.876% city tax on top of state).

The non-resident earnings tax (0.5%) applies to workers who commute into Yonkers for employment but live elsewhere. It is among the highest non-resident rates of any New York municipality outside NYC, though it is notably simpler than the resident surcharge structure.

Yonkers Resident Surcharge — How the 16.75% Works

The Yonkers resident income tax surcharge is calculated as a percentage of the New York State tax, not of gross income. This indirect structure makes the effective rate variable based on state tax bracket.

The Calculation

Step 1: Calculate your New York State income tax liability on Form IT-201.
Step 2: Multiply that state tax by 16.75% to get the Yonkers surcharge.
Step 3: Report both on IT-201, Schedule A (Yonkers income tax surcharge).

Worked example — Yonkers resident, $150,000 taxable income, single filer:

• New York State income tax at $150,000 (2026 rates, single): approximately $11,720
• Yonkers surcharge: $11,720 × 16.75% = $1,963
• Total state + local income tax: $11,720 + $1,963 = $13,683
• Effective combined rate: 9.1% of $150,000 income

Worked example — Yonkers resident, $500,000 taxable income, single filer:

• New York State income tax: approximately $52,850
• Yonkers surcharge: $52,850 × 16.75% = $8,852
• Total state + local: $61,702
• Effective combined rate: 12.3% of $500,000 income

Part-Year Yonkers Residents

If you lived in Yonkers for only part of the year, the surcharge is calculated on the portion of your New York State tax attributable to the period of Yonkers residence. NY Form IT-201, Schedule A handles this allocation.

The 16.75% Rate History

Yonkers has levied this surcharge since 1984. The rate has changed over time — it was 10% in the 1990s and gradually increased. The 16.75% rate has been in effect since 2014. Yonkers City Council sets the rate annually up to a statutory maximum.

Yonkers Non-Resident Earnings Tax — 0.5% on Work-Location Income

If you live outside Yonkers but work inside Yonkers city limits, you owe the non-resident earnings tax of 0.5% on your Yonkers-source wages.

Who Owes It

• Any individual who physically performs work in Yonkers for a Yonkers-based employer
• Self-employed individuals with business activities within Yonkers
• NYC residents who work in Yonkers (they pay NYC tax as residents AND Yonkers non-resident tax on Yonkers wages)

Who Does NOT Owe It

• Remote workers who live outside Yonkers and work from home for a Yonkers employer — the 0.5% applies to work performed in Yonkers, not work done for a Yonkers employer from outside the city
• Workers who pass through Yonkers but perform work elsewhere
• Pension, retirement, or investment income received by non-residents

How to File

Non-residents file on New York State Form IT-203 (Non-Resident and Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return), which includes the Yonkers non-resident earnings tax calculation. There is no separate Yonkers city return. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance administers the tax on behalf of Yonkers.

Worked example — White Plains resident commuting to Yonkers job: Earns $90,000, all from Yonkers employer, all days worked in Yonkers office. Yonkers non-resident tax: $90,000 × 0.5% = $450/year. The employer should withhold this automatically if Yonkers-registered.

Yonkers vs NYC vs Other Westchester — Tax Comparison for Commuters

The decision of where to live in the New York metropolitan area has significant tax implications. Yonkers is often presented as an affordable alternative to New York City, and its Metro-North access to Grand Central makes it practical for Manhattan commuters. But the Yonkers surcharge means the local tax advantage over NYC is smaller than many realize.

Key finding: A Yonkers resident saves approximately $3,570/year vs. a Manhattan resident at $200k income — meaningful but not as dramatic as many assume. A White Plains or Scarsdale resident (also Westchester, also Metro-North commutable) saves the full $6,600 by avoiding the surcharge. The Yonkers surcharge erases about half the benefit of leaving NYC.

Connecticut and New Jersey advantage: Connecticut residents pay no Yonkers or NYC tax on their income, but face Connecticut's own income tax (up to 6.99% for $500k+). New Jersey's top rate is 10.75% — higher than the straight NY-State-only rate but significantly below the NYC or Yonkers combined burden.

Filing, Deadlines, and Withholding

The Yonkers local taxes are integrated into the New York State filing system — there is no separate city return:

• Resident surcharge: Line 51 of IT-201 (Resident Return)
• Non-resident earnings tax: IT-203, Part 2
• Deadline: April 15 — same as federal and New York State
• Extensions: New York State grants automatic 6-month extensions (October 15). Yonkers taxes follow the same extension, but estimated taxes must be paid by April 15.

Withholding

Employers registered in Yonkers should withhold the non-resident earnings tax from non-resident employees' paychecks. Yonkers residents' employers should withhold the resident surcharge. In practice, employers often do not withhold Yonkers taxes correctly — especially for employees who work partially in Yonkers and partially from home or other locations.

If insufficient Yonkers tax was withheld, the balance is due April 15. Underpayment may trigger interest and penalties. Quarterly estimated payments can be made to New York State (which distributes to Yonkers) using Form IT-2105.