Christie’s admits to failing to register to collect New York and local sales tax despite legal obligation to do so

In a Deferred Prosecution Agreement, the auction powerhouse Christie’s has agreed to pay up to $16.7 million in sales tax, penalties and interest over a two-year period to the state of New York. The firms unlucky legal happenstance has been brought about by failing to register, and to collect, New York and local sales between 2013 to 2017 despite a legal obligation to do so.

In a statement released by the New York District Attorney’s Office, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Roberts Vance, Jr, praised his office’s tax probe saying: “Thanks to our unique expertise and our prosecutors’ hard work, the Manhattan D.A.’s Office is again delivering millions of dollars in badly-needed revenue to the people of New York.” In addition to thanking his team, Vance thanked the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance, the City of London Police Department, and DANY Supervising Rackets Investigator Matthew Winters who is embedded overseas.