In most cases, yes. If your LLC operates in New York City and has not elected to be taxed as an S-corp or C-corp, it is subject to the NYC Unincorporated Business Tax. The Bronx is one of the five boroughs, so any business activity there falls squarely within NYC’s taxing jurisdiction. UBT applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLCs that are treated as either of those for federal tax purposes.

The tax rate is 4% on your unincorporated business taxable income allocated to NYC. However, there is an exemption for the first $95,000 of income. If your taxable income is at or below $95,000, you owe nothing. Once your income exceeds that threshold, the exemption begins to phase out. By the time income reaches approximately $150,000, the exemption disappears entirely and the full 4% applies to your total NYC-allocated taxable income.

You file UBT annually on Form NYC-202, which is due on the same date as your federal return. Extensions are available if needed. If your expected UBT liability for the year is $3,400 or more, you are also required to make quarterly estimated payments using Form NYC-5UB. Skipping estimated payments can trigger penalties and interest even if you pay the full balance when you file your return.

One thing many LLC owners miss is the UBT credit that can be applied against your personal NYC income tax. The city allows a partial credit on your personal return that offsets some of the UBT you already paid. If your tax preparer doesn’t apply this credit, you end up paying more than you actually owe. It is worth confirming this is being handled correctly every year.

If your LLC earns income both inside and outside of NYC, you will need to allocate your income to determine how much is actually subject to UBT. The allocation formula depends on your type of business and where services are performed or goods are delivered. Getting this wrong can mean overpaying or underpaying, both of which create problems.

Accurate bookkeeping throughout the year makes UBT filing much simpler. When your income, expenses, and NYC allocation are tracked properly from the start, there is no scramble at tax time trying to reconstruct the numbers. Our Bronx bookkeeping services help LLC owners stay on top of this. And if you need your chart of accounts and QuickBooks file structured to make tax reporting easier, full-service bookkeeping covers the monthly recordkeeping that feeds directly into accurate UBT filings.