Section 1423 - Modernization of real property transfer reporting(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner is hereby authorized to implement a system for the electronic collection of data relating to transfers of real property. In connection therewith, the commissioner may combine the two forms referred to in paragraph one of this subdivision into a consolidated real property transfer form to be filed with him or her electronically; provided: (1) The two forms that may be so combined are the real estate transfer tax return required by section fourteen hundred nine of this article, and the real property transfer report required by subdivision one-e of section three hundred thirty-three of the real property law. However, the commissioner shall continue to maintain both such return and such report as separate forms, so that a party who prefers not to file a consolidated real property transfer form with the commissioner electronically shall have the option of filing both such return and such report with the recording officer, as otherwise provided by law. Under no circumstances shall a consolidated real property transfer form be filed with, or accepted by, the recording officer.(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section fourteen hundred eighteen of this article, any information appearing on a consolidated real property transfer form that is required to be included on the real property transfer report required by subdivision one-e of section three hundred thirty-three of the real property law shall be subject to public disclosure.(3) When a consolidated real property transfer form is electronically submitted to the department by either the grantor or grantee or a duly authorized agent thereof, the act of submitting such form shall be deemed to be the signing of the return as required by paragraph (v) of subdivision one-e of the real property law or subdivision (b) of section fourteen hundred nine of this article, and the requirement that all the grantors and grantees shall sign the return shall not apply. However, the fact that a grantor or grantee has not electronically submitted the form shall not relieve that grantor or grantee of any liability for the tax imposed by this article.(b) When a consolidated real property transfer form is filed with the commissioner electronically pursuant to this section, the real estate transfer tax imposed under this article, and the fee that would otherwise be retained by the recording officer pursuant to subdivision three of section three hundred thirty-three of the real property law, shall be paid to the commissioner therewith. The commissioner shall retain on behalf of the recording officer the portion of such tax that would otherwise have been retained by the recording officer pursuant to subdivision (c) of section fourteen hundred seven of this article, and the portion of such fee that would otherwise have been retained by the recording officer pursuant to subdivision three of section three hundred thirty-three of the real property law. The moneys so retained by the commissioner on behalf of the recording officer, hereinafter referred to as the recording officer's fees, shall be deposited daily with such responsible banks, banking houses, or trust companies as may be designated by the state comptroller. Of the recording officer's fees so deposited, the comptroller shall retain in the comptroller's hands such amount as the commissioner may determine to be necessary for refunds or reimbursements of such fees collected or received pursuant to this section, out of which the comptroller shall pay any refunds or reimbursements of such fees to which persons shall be entitled under the provisions of this section. The comptroller, after reserving such refund and reimbursement fund shall, on or before the twelfth day of each month, pay to the appropriate recording officers an amount equal to the recording officer's fees reserved on their behalf. Provided, however, that the commissioner is authorized to request that the comptroller refrain from making such a payment of such fees to a recording officer until the commissioner has certified to the comptroller that the recording officer has supplied the commissioner with the liber and numbers of the recorded instruments that gave rise to such fees.(c) The system for the electronic submission of consolidated real property transfer forms shall be designed so that upon the successful electronic filing of such a form and the payment of the associated taxes and fees, the party submitting the same shall be provided with an electronic receipt in a form prescribed by the commissioner that confirms such filing and payment. Such party may file a printed copy of such receipt with the recording officer when offering the associated instrument for recording, in lieu of submitting to the recording officer the return, report, tax and fee that would otherwise have been required under this article and subdivisions one-e and three of section three hundred thirty-three of the real property law. The recording officer shall retain such receipt for a minimum of three years, unless otherwise directed by the commissioner, and shall provide a copy thereof to the commissioner for inspection upon his or her request.(d) Upon recording the instrument to which the consolidated real property transfer form pertains, the recording officer shall provide the commissioner with the liber and thereof at such time and in such manner as the commissioner shall prescribe.(e) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable within a city or county that has implemented its own electronic system for the recording of deeds, the filing of the real estate transfer tax returns and the real property transfer reports prescribed by the commissioner, and the payment of the associated taxes and fees, unless such city or county shall notify the commissioner that such jurisdiction will follow the system authorized pursuant to this section to be used therein, in writing.Added by New York Laws 2021, ch. 59,Sec. U-8, eff. 4/19/2021.