The tax on the top bracket, $2 million or more for couples, would rise to 8.82 percent and expire in December 2014. For individual filers, the top rate would start at $1 million.
Including the surcharge, those earning more than $500,000 are taxed at 8.97 percent. New York's new top rate would be lower than the 8.97 percent levy in New Jersey, though higher than the 6.7 percent rate in Connecticut.
"New York has left the middle class with an undue burden which also hinders economic recovery," Cuomo said in a Dec. 5 statement. "Fairness dictates that the more you make, the more you pay and the higher your income, the higher your rate."
Also under the plan, employers in the 12 counties surrounding New York City would see a cut in the portion of their payroll taxes used to support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.