Cuomo tax return shows $188K book advance

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tax return shows he made $188,333 last year on an advance for his book that’s due out in August.

The money from the memoir pushed Cuomo’s total income to nearly $360,000 in 2013 - a significant increase from 2012, when he earned $230,000.

The Democratic governor’s office allowed reporters to examine his state and federal tax returns on Tuesday, the deadline for income tax filing.

The documents show Cuomo earned $175,277 in state compensation last year. His total federal tax bill was $96,302, and his effective federal tax rate was 26.9 percent. He expects a refund of $6,178.

Cuomo paid a total of $102,480 in federal income taxes and expects a refund of $6,178. He paid nearly $26,000 in state income taxes and has asked that his state refund of about $1,000 be put toward his 2014 taxes.

The return indicates that Cuomo donated $16,000 last year to the HELP USA charity he founded for the homeless before he became governor.

Cuomo’s book advance is being paid in installments, with only an initial amount reflected on Cuomo’s return. His spokesman declined to provide the amount of future installments. Publisher HarperCollins also declined to release the amount.

The tax return shows Cuomo paid $35,000 in fees for representation and legal work related to the book deal.

The memoir is entitled “All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life” and is touted by its publisher as “a full and frank look at his public and private life.”