Robin Lee
Taxpayer Advocate

The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate reports directly to the Department of Finance commissioner and can request that DOF take action on behalf of taxpayers who have been unable to resolve their property and business tax issues through regular agency channels. In addition, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate makes systemic recommendations to improve DOF policies and procedures. Since its inception in October 2015, OTA has closed over 10,800 cases and inquiries, netting New Yorkers $90 million in savings.

Robin and her team are responsible for assisting members of the public with complex tax issues and helping the Department of Finance do a better job of serving its customers. She is deeply familiar with agency policies and operations, having served as senior adviser to two commissioners as well as deputy chief administrative law judge. She began her career with DOF in 2017 as an agency attorney after working in a similar role for the Department of Homeless Services.

Robin holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a juris doctorate from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.