Margarita's Mexican Restaurant was shut down by the New York Department of Taxation and Finance just before noon today. The only information from officials on scene was that it was a "tax issue."
Tax Compliance Agent Elizabeth Schmidt, hanging the "seized" sign above, provided The Batavian with a phone number for the department's press office. We're expecting a call back. While Schmidt posted the sign, a locksmith was busy changing the locks. The business won't reopen until all back taxes are paid.
UPDATE: Susan Burns, spokeswoman for the taxation department called: Best Margarita's Grill, Inc. owes taxes on four warrants, with the oldest being back sales taxes from the second quarter of 2009. The four warrants total $32,914.
"We're in the process of working with the taxpayer and the indication is we will work something out fairly quickly," Burns said. "They should be re-opening soon."
The four warrants: Aug. 5 -- $16,166 for sales tax; Aug. 5 -- $1,373, for corporate tax; July 1 -- $64 for corporate tax; and April 2 -- $15,311 for sales tax.
"We always try to work with the taxpayer and negotiate a settlement," Burns said. "It's best that the business stay open for the community and that's what we work to see happen."
UPDATE: WBTA also learned that Margarita's reportedly had additional tax warrants dating back to 2007 that were paid. The total of the paid-up back taxes is $14,246.
This is just awful! Where am
This is just awful! Where am I going to get my weekly dose of authentic salsa and chalupas? I feel like an addict whose supply has just been cut off....
My wife and I have Never had
My wife and I have Never had a bad meal from Margarita's. I hope they get it together, pay what they owe and reopen. Soon.
umm you can go to that taco
umm you can go to that taco place thats been here for years and needs your support...they pay their taxes...
Oh man. I love this place
Oh man. I love this place and am disappointed to see it close. I never make it there as often as I'd like, but I've also never had a bad meal.
That Taco Place, while a fantastic local restaurant, does not compare to Margaritas, and to say otherwise is ridiculous, IMO.
Mary, Posted by Mary E
Mary,
Posted by Mary E DelPlato on August 18, 2010 - 2:01pm
...they pay their taxes...
You don't know the whole situation, so I think it's a little ridiculous for you to make that comment. We have no idea why they did this. There has been an extreme uptick in the way the state has been "auditing" businesses. They have been creating tax bills based off of completely mythical scales amd telling owners that they need to pay uncomprehensible amounts.
We do not know if the owners have either not been paying, or have been cited by one of these people. either way, your assumptions are poor. How do you even know That Taco Place is up to date on all of their taxes? Are you the owner?
This is a great establishment and I truly hope it re-opens. I dislike this state so much.
You have to remember to a
You have to remember to a nonmeat eater a bean burrito does not change much place to place. You can't compare a drive thru with a sit down homemade meal. I like them both. I Hope Margarita's can reopen soon.
Corporate Taxes aren't
Corporate Taxes aren't estimated and they are due annually. Secondly, Tax Agents don't just show up at your place of business and sticker the door. Non-compliance would have been going on for a while prior to that happening.
Nice picture of Ed though,
Nice picture of Ed though, you forgot to caption him, Howard come on. Can't even see the lady you did mention.
I agree with Phil. This may
I agree with Phil. This may be a case of one of NYS's famous 1-day audits and extrapolated figures resulting in a huge tax bill, like what happened to the LB Grand in Leroy. It may have nothing to do with non-compliance.
I absolutely love Margarita's
I absolutely love Margarita's and I hope this is no long term thing. "That taco place" is ok at best, and is a decent last resort, but they couldnt hold a chalupa to Margarita's :)
The only good thing about having one of your favorite resturants closed down is hearing that its for tax evasion and not health code problems :)
I agree, That Taco Place is
I agree, That Taco Place is not even comparable to this place. It needs to open again, no doubt.
We eloped on a thursday,
We eloped on a thursday, married by a city judge and had a great dinner @ Margarta's. They have to reopen, were else will we go for our 5th anniversery?
Tim couldn't agree more with you. I have always found this resturant to be clean. Hopefully the community will remember that this break isn't about code violations.
It can be challenging to own
It can be challenging to own and run a business in New York. Who knows what happened? I'd be slow to pass judgment.
"...July 1st $64..." This
"...July 1st $64..." This state really is desperate. How can they pay the money back, if they owe it, if they're not open for business. Maybe the state should cut these businesses a break, after all they're acting as tax agents for the state and not being compensated.
My question is, I just bought
My question is, I just bought a "Deal of The Day" for Margarita's from "The Batavian" does that mean my $11 that I paid for the "deal" got SEIZED by "The Batavian"?
Hey Herbie, maybe mighty taco
Hey Herbie, maybe mighty taco will honor your gift cerfificate :)
If Margarita's hasn't
If Margarita's hasn't reopened within a couple of weeks, we'll issue refunds to anybody who mails us back the unused GC.
I just had somebody file a dispute on PayPal for a refund, which I denied because I believe Margarita's will reopen.
That's pretty typical of New
That's pretty typical of New York State. Come in at lunchtime and throw the patrons out. Too bad that the restaurant wasn't apparently as "fiscally responsible" as the great leaders of the SSNY (Socialist State of New York). Every tax dollar is desperately needed to pay for the cost of imprisoning half of our population (our largest industry).
Last one (not in prison), turn out the lights!
I don't understand why there
I don't understand why there have to be put-downs of That Taco Place just because Margarita's is shut down. Maybe some of you think Margarita's is more authentic Mexican food or you prefer sit down to take out meals, but That Taco Place is a favorite of many of us. It's hard to beat Joe's friendliness, prices and consistency...and I think the food is yummy!
File a dispute w/
File a dispute w/ paypal...that is a excessive to do at this point. I knew Howard would take care of it, and I'm fine w/ waiting the 2 weeks.
Paypal will always side with
Paypal will always side with the buyer.
Lorie, I don't think
Lorie,
I don't think people were putting That taco place down as much as they were voicing their opinion. Where as Mary pretty much put Margarita's down with the quip about how That Taco Place pays they're taxes.
I have to be honest, I have only eaten at That Taco Place once when I first moved to Batavia back in 2006. Having been able to get really good Mexican food 24 hours a day for most of my life, That Taco Place was some what of a let down. Margarita's has Mexican food that I am more accustomed to. However their prices do not compare with the prices I paid in southern California. I used to be able to get a large carne asada burrito from Colima's in Oceanside, CA for less than four dollars. The Colorado burrito at Margarita's is like ten dollars. Needless to say I don't eat Mexican cuisine as often as I use to.
Jeremiah, have you had
Jeremiah, have you had Mexican food in California recently.
For example, on Tuesday in Bakersfield, we stopped at one place and ordered two orders of rolled tacos and two drinks -- $16. I was shocked.
We stopped at Mexican food stands on five different occasions and all but once I was surprised by how much prices have increased.
The only thing I miss about
The only thing I miss about California is the carne asada burritos, and I miss them a lot.
Chris, I ordered carne asada
Chris, I ordered carne asada burritos in Margarita's a couple of times. It was kind of a hassle because not every member of the wait staff understood what I wanted, but when they got it right, it was quite good.
Usually, at Margarita's I order what they call the dasada tacos, which is the closest thing you can get to street tacos in New York (that I've found).
My favorite at Margarita's
My favorite at Margarita's are the fajita's, you can always hear them coming before you see them, plus its really funny when they set the fire alarm off :)
I guess I am spoiled because
I guess I am spoiled because I have Mexican friends that cook traditional dishes and share them with me. Not the American or Tex-Mex style either. I will say that I enjoy a Burrito or two from That Taco Place. I never tried South beach, or Margaritas and the only time I was in Taco Bell was for a quick trip to the bathroom.
LOL Gabor, If you EAT at
LOL Gabor,
If you EAT at taco bell be prepared for many "quick trips to the bathroom" :)
My favorite meal at
My favorite meal at Margarita's is the carnitas dinner. De-friggin'-licious.
There’s no reason to beat up
There’s no reason to beat up on Taco Bell. I love that place! Where else can you get a Taco, chips and a drink for $2?
Jeremiah wrote: I don't think
Jeremiah wrote: I don't think people were putting That taco place down as much as they were voicing their opinion. Where as Mary pretty much put Margarita's down with the quip about how That Taco Place pays they're taxes.
Jeremiah, I'll buy that. And you're right, we don't know who actually pays their taxes, so that post isn't fair either.
But... I.love.That.Taco.Place! :-)
I guess some people really do
I guess some people really do Love Taco Bell.
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RE: Posted by kevin
RE:
Posted by kevin kretschmer on August 18, 2010 - 3:09pm
Corporate Taxes aren't estimated and they are due annually. Secondly, Tax Agents don't just show up at your place of business and sticker the door. Non-compliance would have been going on for a while prior to that happening.
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I guess you missed this report if you don't think the state will just come in and hand you a guestimated tax bill:
http://www.thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/owners-lb-grand-will-figh…
"L.B. Grand generates $600,000 a year in revenue for New York, and that doesn't count the taxes paid by six employees"
I don't think Margarita's generates anywhere near that kind of tax revenue but the point is, the state can do whatever it wants, whenever it wants. NY is not a business friendly state and everyone knows it.
Maybe I'm mistaken but I believe that business taxes are due quarterly and then a final adjustment is made at the end of the business year when filing is due.
I love taco bell. 88 cent
I love taco bell. 88 cent burritos are great when you don't want to wait or cook.
lmao bryant...anyway...the
lmao bryant...anyway...the department of tax and finance closed it down so der der its a given the reasons the doors were closed and not suprised by anything that closes...oh...and theyre mexican...mmph
der der?? what the hell is
der der?? what the hell is that?