The sales and use tax calculation is based on the chart on Page 29 in the New York Instructions for Form IT-201, Line 59.
TaxACT assumes the lowest income bracket from the chart for a tax due of $8.00 reported on NY Form IT-201, Line 59. This is why a new return (with no data) started for New York will have a tax due of $8.00.
New York individual taxpayers can modify each field on the Sales and Use Tax Worksheet and/or opt out of the tax if they believe that they should not be subject to the sales or use tax.
If you determine you need to opt out of the tax, you may do so by following these steps: