§ 11-901 Definitions.

Wherever used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall mean and include:

   "Alien insurer." Any insurer incorporated or organized under the laws of any foreign nation, or of any province or territory not included under the definition of a foreign insurer.

   "Foreign insurer." Any insurer, except a mutual insurance company taxed under the provisions of section nine thousand one hundred five of the insurance law, incorporated or organized under the laws of any state, as herein defined, other than this state.

   "Fire insurance corporation, association or individuals." Any insurer, regardless of the name, designation or authority under which it purports to act, which insures property of any kind or nature against loss or damage by fire.

   "Loss or damage by fire." Loss or damage by fire, lightning, smoke or anything used to combat fire, regardless of whether such risks or the premiums therefor are stated or charged separately and apart from any other risk or premium.

   "State." Any state of the United States and the District of Columbia.

   "Commissioner of finance." The commissioner of finance of the city or any other officer of the city designated to perform the same functions.

   "Department of finance." The department of finance of the city or any other agency or department designated to perform the same functions.

   "Fire commissioner." The fire commissioner of the city.

   "Comptroller." The comptroller of the city.

   "Tax appeals tribunal." The tax appeals tribunal established by section one hundred sixty-eight of the charter.

§ 11-902 General powers of the commissioner of finance.

In addition to all other powers granted to the commissioner of finance under this chapter, the commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered:

   1.   To make, adopt and amend rules and regulations appropriate to the carrying out of this chapter and the purposes thereof.

   2.   To compromise disputed claims in connection with taxes hereby imposed.

   3.   To delegate his or her functions hereunder to any officer or employee of the department of finance.

   4.   To prescribe reasonable methods, approved by the New York superintendent of insurance, for determining the amounts of premiums subject to the tax.

   5.   To require any foreign or alien insurer subject to the tax to keep detailed records of the premiums in a manner reasonably designed to show the amounts thereof subject to the tax and to furnish such information on request.

   6.   To assess, determine, revise and adjust the tax imposed under this chapter.

   7.   To audit the reports of any insurer.

   8.   To allow an extension of time not in excess of thirty days for filing the report and paying the tax required by this chapter, provided the taxpayer requests such extension in writing prior to the date prescribed for such filing and such payment by sections 11-904 and 11-903 of this chapter.

§ 11-903 Tax on premiums on policies of foreign and alien insurers.

There shall be paid to the department of finance for the use and benefit of the fire department of the city, on or before the first day of March, in each year by every foreign and alien fire insurance corporation, association or individuals which insure property against loss or damage by fire, the sum of two percent of all gross direct premiums less return premiums which, during the year ending on the preceding thirty-first day of December, shall have been received by any such insurer for any insurance against loss or damage by fire in the city. Any such insurer which in any year shall cease or terminate doing business in the city shall pay the tax for such year within thirty days after such cessation or termination.