Hi - I'm not from NY, but there are a couple of reasons fro an increased tax:
- Your federal withholding was reduced (unless you changed it with your employer) because Federal taxes are lower. Your NY withholding might have been reduced, as well, therefore your normal income (+7000) might have put you into a higher tax bracket
- Investments have done well the past couple of years. If you sold anything that made money (stock, real estate, valuables, etc.) you may have some capital gains tax that you might not normally have.
- Also, check the standard deduction -- maybe you'll do better than itemizing (I did, and I always itemize)
- Lastly, it is possible that NY increased taxes again, starting with the city, county, or state???
I hope this helps, at least a little. Good Luck!!
