January 2025 Newsletter

The NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST) serves as a single point of contact between city agencies and small businesses operating in the five boroughs to help:

• streamline interactions with city agencies
• navigate permit and licensing processes
• connect you to government resources
• educate you on city rules and regulations

NYC BEST Connections

We Want To Hear From You

How Can We Help Your Business?

Please take this 1-minute survey to let us know about the resources that have helped you start, operate, or grow your business, and what you would love to see offered to help you continue to start, operate, or grow.

Hero of the Month

Ben “Benny” Vazquez, Compliance Advisor

Ben Vazquez recently joined NYC BEST as a Compliance Advisor.

Ben previously served as an inspector with the NYC Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP) for nearly two years, and has seen firsthand the daily challenges that businesses encounter. His time at SBS has imparted so much wisdom to him, and he is confident about our collective knowledge and dedication to helping small businesses thrive! This is why he is thrilled to now be a part of the NYC Business Express Service Team.

Fun fact: I hope to open my own coffee shop in the future. My hobbies include golf, watching movies, and exercise.

Did You Know?

Agency: NYS Department of Labor (DOL)

Minimum Wage Has Increased

As of 1/1/2025, the minimum wage in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island has increased to $16.50/hour.

Remember to issue a Notice & Acknowledgement of Pay Rate (available in multiple languages) to all employees whenever their pay rate changes and update your posters.

Paid Prenatal Leave Law

Beginning January 1, 2025, all private-sector employers in New York, regardless of size must provide eligible employees 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in a 52-week period, for employees to attend prenatal-related appointments and procedures.

This is in addition to existing paid and safe sick leave requirements.

Corporate Transparency Act Update

Due to ongoing litigation regarding enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act, please consult with counsel regarding your current obligations under the Act.

For up-to-date information on filing beneficial ownership information with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as part of the Corporate Transparency Act, please visit fincen.gov/boi.

Completing the form is free. You do not need to pay to process this one-time filing for your business.

Agency: Citywide Events Coordination and Management - Street Activity Permit Office (CECM-SAPO)

Extension of Street Fair Moratorium for Calendar Year 2025

Effective Date: December 27, 2024

To more effectively deploy police resources and control overtime costs, the NYC Police Department (NYPD) has recommended that SAPO exercise its discretion to deny permit applications for new multi-block/multi-day street fair events in calendar year 2025. This rule authorizes SAPO to deny permit applications for street fairs if the street fair was not held in the calendar year 2024. Events that received permits in calendar year 2024 may be eligible to receive permits again in calendar year 2025.

Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)

Restaurant Surcharges and Mandatory Gratuities

Restaurants cannot charge a surcharge or other fee in addition to listed food or beverage prices.

Tip: Examples of surcharges or other fees include a 5% living wage fee, 20% administrative charge, or 15% mandatory gratuity.

Tip: “Surcharge” does not include tax.

Restaurants may charge a bona fide service charge, but only if the charge is conspicuously disclosed to consumers before food is ordered (e.g., on a sandwich board, menu, or sign).

Tip: Examples of bona fide surcharges include a charge to split a single meal on multiple plates; a minimum per person charge; or a mandatory gratuity for parties of eight or more.

Tip: It is a violation to include the disclosure on the back of a menu or hidden in the design of a menu or on a sign that is blocked from public view or in a location where consumers cannot see it.

Save the Date

NYC BEST Stories

Visiting Businesses in Staten Island with La Colmena

NYC BEST visited eight businesses in Port Richmond with community partner La Colmena.

Businesses expressed concerns about inspections conducted by enforcement agencies and insufficient notifications about updates to requirements for businesses.

The NYC BEST team provided clarification on cited violations and information about SBS services and resources.

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Week in Review

January 4 - 10, 2025

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