Albany, NY – After successful rallies in Albany and Buffalo last week, members of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) will rally at additional locations across New York State this week, including Utica, to call out rampant tax fraud in the construction industry – a practice that robs workers, taxpayers, and law-abiding businesses alike.
“During Tax Fraud Days of Action, it’s time for policymakers to crack down on wage theft and tax fraud in the construction industry,” said NASRCC Political Director Tricia Richardson. “Cheating contractors steal billions by misclassifying non-union workers and paying off the books – hurting workers, honest businesses, and taxpayers. Strong enforcement and accountability are urgently needed to protect non-union workers, so we can level the playing field and recover vital revenue for our communities across New York.”
New York now ranks fourth in the nation for construction tax fraud, behind only Texas, California, and Florida. The NASRCC – representing 30,000 skilled professionals across New England and New York – is committed to raising public awareness and advocating for stronger enforcement to put an end to these illegal and unsafe practices.
The NASRCC is advocating for nonunion workers who are cheated because we represent the interest of ALL carpenters, union and nonunion alike. Union workers and law-abiding contractors are put at a competitive disadvantage when bidding against cheaters.
The actions are part of Tax Fraud Days of Action, a national campaign led by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters from April 6-18 to spotlight the exploitation of workers and the erosion of public resources due to illegal business practices. Across the U.S., an estimated $75 billion is lost annually to construction industry tax fraud.
WHAT:
Union Carpenters to hold rallies against tax fraud in the construction industry
WHO:
NASRCC union members and representatives
Local elected officials
WHERE & WHEN:
Utica – Thursday, April 16 @ 1:00 PM
2214 Whitesboro Street, Utica
For more information on the 2026 United Brotherhood of Carpenters Tax Fraud Days of Action, visit: https://stoptaxfraud.net/.
A report from The Century Foundation (TCF) estimates that more than 120,000 construction workers in New York are being misclassified or paid off the books—amounting to nearly 16% of the state’s construction workforce. This translates to a $603 million annual loss in state tax revenue. TCF researchers note the true scale is likely much higher, calling their figures a “conservative estimate.” This report and the widespread issue of misclassification of workers in the construction industry is cited in a recent New York Times Magazine article: How Contracting Became a Race to the Bottom.
About the North Atlantic States Regional Council
The North Atlantic States Regional Council represents more than 30,000 men and women employed by the leading residential and commercial general contractors and carpentry subcontractors in the industry. Members include carpenters, pile drivers, shop and millmen, and floor coverers working throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. For more information visit nasrcc.org, and find the NASRCC on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube.
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