State picks business tax adviser

Mwisa Chisunka, a former state tax department outreach official, has been named to a newly created post as state business ombudswoman and director of New York business tax services and education.

Officials at Empire State Development and the state Department of Taxation and Finance

said she will work closely with the business community to provide education about tax law developments, answer questions and help businesses navigate the issue resolution process. She will also launch pro-business programs as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo”™s Open for Business initiative.

Chisunka will partner with chambers of commerce, small business development centers, major trade associations, and nonprofit organizations across the state. She will identify opportunities to streamline and enhance effective tax administration, providing input to the state”™s 10 regional economic development councils, appropriate state agencies and the Commission on Tax Reform and Fairness, which is focused on modernizing the tax system to enhance New York”™s business climate. 

Chisunka joins Empire State Development after four years leading the  tax department”™s downstate outreach efforts with advocacy and professional groups. Previously she was a senior analyst and policy operations coordinator with the state senate.