Form N-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM N-Q


QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number         811-6624         

        Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio         
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Nuveen Investments
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606         
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Kevin J. McCarthy Vice President and Secretary
        333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606         
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:         312-917-7700        

Date of fiscal year end:            03/31          

Date of reporting period:         12/31/08         

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

Item 1. Schedule of Investments

    Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)             
    Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio (NXN)             
    December 31, 2008             
Principal        Optional Call         
Amount (000)    Description (1)    Provisions (2)    Ratings (3)    Value 
    Consumer Discretionary – 0.1%             
$           100    New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, Liberty Revenue Bonds,    9/15 at 100.00    BB+   $   57,877 
     IAC/InterActiveCorp, Series 2005, 5.000%, 9/01/35             
    Consumer Staples – 1.4%             
    TSASC Inc., New York, Tobacco Asset-Backed Bonds, Series 2006:             
430     4.750%, 6/01/22    6/16 at 100.00    BBB    315,839 
540     5.000%, 6/01/26    6/16 at 100.00    BBB    372,400 
970    Total Consumer Staples            688,239 
    Education and Civic Organizations – 9.6%             
100    Albany Industrial Development Agency, New York, Revenue Bonds, Albany Law School, Series    7/17 at 100.00    BBB    63,072 
     2007A, 5.000%, 7/01/31             
50    Albany Industrial Development Agency, New York, Revenue Bonds, Brighter Choice Charter    4/17 at 100.00    N/R    28,045 
     Schools, Series 2007A, 5.000%, 4/01/37             
1,700    Amherst Industrial Development Agency, New York, Revenue Bonds, UBF Faculty/Student Housing    8/12 at 101.00    A    1,630,317 
     Corporation, University of Buffalo Creekside Project, Series 2002A, 5.000%, 8/01/22 –             
     AMBAC Insured             
30    Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency, New York, Revenue Bonds, St. Bonaventure    5/16 at 100.00    BBB–    21,185 
     University, Series 2006, 5.000%, 5/01/23             
430    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, General Revenue Bonds, Manhattan College, Series    7/17 at 100.00    BBB+    281,173 
     2007A, 5.000%, 7/01/41 – RAAI Insured             
785    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Insured Revenue Bonds, Iona College, Series    7/12 at 100.00    BBB    703,336 
     2002, 5.000%, 7/01/22 – SYNCORA GTY Insured             
50    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Lease Revenue Bonds, State University Dormitory    7/15 at 100.00    AA    48,018 
     Facilities, Series 2004A, 5.000%, 7/01/29 – MBIA Insured             
215    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Second General Resolution Consolidated Revenue    No Opt. Call    A1    224,170 
     Bonds, City University System, Series 1990C, 7.500%, 7/01/10 – FGIC Insured             
430    Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, Bard    8/17 at 100.00    A3    310,236 
     College Project, Series 2007-A2, 4.500%, 8/01/36             
100    Hempstead Town Industrial Development Agency, New York, Revenue Bonds, Adelphi University,    10/15 at 100.00    A    88,079 
     Civic Facility Project, Series 2005, 5.000%, 10/01/35             
100    New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, St.    10/14 at 100.00    A–    80,774 
     Francis College, Series 2004, 5.000%, 10/01/34             
500    New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, YMCA of    2/11 at 100.00    A–    502,990 
     Greater New York, Series 2002, 5.250%, 8/01/21             
430    New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, PILOT Revenue Bonds, Queens Baseball    1/17 at 100.00    AA    270,982 
     Stadium Project, Series 2006, 4.750%, 1/01/42 – AMBAC Insured             
590    New York City Industrial Development Authority, New York, PILOT Revenue Bonds, Yankee Stadium    9/16 at 100.00    BBB–    358,820 
     Project, Series 2006, 4.500%, 3/01/39 – FGIC Insured             
200    Puerto Rico Industrial, Tourist, Educational, Medical and Environmental Control Facilities    2/09 at 101.00    BBB–    156,888 
     Financing Authority, Higher Education Revenue Bonds, Ana G. Mendez University             
     System, Series 1999, 5.375%, 2/01/19             
65    Seneca County Industrial Development Authority, New York, Revenue Bonds, New York Chiropractic    10/17 at 100.00    BBB    40,342 
     College, Series 2007, 5.000%, 10/01/27             
5,775    Total Education and Civic Organizations            4,808,427 
    Financials – 0.7%             
435    Liberty Development Corporation, New York, Goldman Sachs Headquarters Revenue Bonds Series    No Opt. Call    A1    340,266 
     2007, 5.500%, 10/01/37             
    Health Care – 13.2%             
450    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, FHA-Insured Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Montefiore    2/15 at 100.00    AA    389,543 
     Hospital, Series 2004, 5.000%, 8/01/29 – FGIC Insured             
    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Lenox Hill Hospital Obligated             
    Group, Series 2001:             
110     5.375%, 7/01/20    7/11 at 101.00    Ba1    82,405 
100     5.500%, 7/01/30    7/11 at 101.00    Ba1    65,564 
950    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer    7/16 at 100.00    AA    839,591 
     Center, Series 2006-1, 5.000%, 7/01/35             
670    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer    7/13 at 100.00    AA    673,216 
     Center, Series 2003-1, 5.000%, 7/01/21 – MBIA Insured             
405    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, New York and Presbyterian    8/14 at 100.00    AAA    437,076 
     Hospital, Series 2004A, 5.250%, 8/15/15 – FSA Insured             
1,680    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Winthrop South Nassau University    7/11 at 101.00    A    1,718,808 
     Health System Obligated Group, Series 2001A, 5.250%, 7/01/17 – AMBAC Insured             
1,195    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Winthrop South Nassau University    7/11 at 101.00    A    1,131,438 
     Health System Obligated Group, Series 2001B, 5.250%, 7/01/17 – AMBAC Insured             
500    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Winthrop-South Nassau University    7/13 at 100.00    Baa1    359,670 
     Hospital Association, Series 2003A, 5.500%, 7/01/32             
    Madison County Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, Oneida             
    Health System, Series 2007A:             
100     5.250%, 2/01/27    No Opt. Call    BBB–    69,994 
90     5.500%, 2/01/32    No Opt. Call    BBB–    62,297 
750    New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, New York, Health System Revenue Bonds, Series    2/13 at 100.00    A1    649,395 
     2003A, 5.250%, 2/15/21 – AMBAC Insured             
245    New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, Staten    7/12 at 101.00    Ba2    162,484 
     Island University Hospital, Series 2002C, 6.450%, 7/01/32             
7,245    Total Health Care            6,641,481 
    Housing/Multifamily – 2.9%             
1,000    New Hartford-Sunset Woods Funding Corporation, New York, FHA-Insured Mortgage Revenue Bonds,    8/12 at 101.00    AAA    995,570 
     Sunset Woods Apartments II Project, Series 2002, 5.350%, 2/01/20             
250    New York City Housing Development Corporation, New York, Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds,    5/14 at 100.00    AA    227,608 
     Series 2004A, 5.250%, 11/01/30             
275    New York State Housing Finance Agency, Affordable Housing Revenue, Series 2007A, 5.250%,    11/17 at 100.00    Aa2    216,469 
     11/01/38 (Alternative Minimum Tax)             
1,525    Total Housing/Multifamily            1,439,647 
    Housing/Single Family – 7.9%             
2,000    New York State Mortgage Agency, Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series 101, 5.000%,    10/11 at 100.00    Aa1    1,897,920 
     10/01/18 (Alternative Minimum Tax)             
2,500    New York State Mortgage Agency, Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Thirty-First Series A, 5.300%,    4/11 at 100.00    Aaa    2,073,725 
     10/01/31 (Alternative Minimum Tax)             
4,500    Total Housing/Single Family            3,971,645 
    Long-Term Care – 11.7%             
1,940    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, FHA-Insured Nursing Home Mortgage Revenue Bonds,    8/11 at 101.00    AA    1,696,588 
     Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, Series 2001, 5.200%, 8/01/36 – MBIA Insured             
100    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Non-State Supported Debt, Ozanam Hall of Queens    11/16 at 100.00    Aa2    90,406 
     Nursing Home Revenue Bonds, Series 2006, 5.000%, 11/01/31             
50    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, Providence Rest, Series 2005,    7/15 at 100.00    N/R    25,460 
     5.000%, 7/01/35 – ACA Insured             
2,000    East Rochester Housing Authority, New York, FHA-Insured Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds,    8/12 at 101.00    AAA    2,021,600 
     Jewish Home of Rochester, Series 2002, 4.625%, 2/15/17             
1,000    East Rochester Housing Authority, New York, Revenue Bonds, GNMA/FHA-Secured Revenue Bonds,    12/12 at 103.00    AAA    982,170 
     St. Mary’s Residence Project, Series 2002A, 5.375%, 12/20/22             
980    New York City Industrial Development Agency, New York, GNMA Collateralized Mortgage Revenue    11/12 at 101.00    AA+    842,682 
     Bonds, Eger Harbor House Inc., Series 2002A, 4.950%, 11/20/32             
25    Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facility Revenue Bonds, Special    7/16 at 100.00    N/R    19,554 
     Needs Facilities Pooled Program, Series 2008-B1, 5.500%, 7/01/18             
275    Yonkers Industrial Development Agency, New York, Civic Facilities Revenue Bonds, Special Needs    7/16 at 101.00    N/R    214,203 
     Facilities Pooled Program Bonds, Series 2008-C1, 5.500%, 7/01/18             
6,370    Total Long-Term Care            5,892,663 
    Materials – 0.1%             
90    Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, New York, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds,    12/13 at 100.00    BBB    57,146 
     International Paper Company Project, Series 2003A, 5.200%, 12/01/20 (Alternative Minimum Tax)             
    Tax Obligation/General – 8.7%             
    Clarkstown, Rickland County, New York, Various Purposes Serial Bonds, Series 1992:             
505     5.600%, 6/15/10 – AMBAC Insured    No Opt. Call    AAA    533,987 
525     5.600%, 6/15/11 – AMBAC Insured    No Opt. Call    AAA    567,473 
525     5.600%, 6/15/12 – AMBAC Insured    No Opt. Call    AAA    581,123 
300    New York City, New York, General Obligation Bonds, Fiscal Series 2004C, 5.250%, 8/15/16    8/14 at 100.00    AA    321,021 
200    New York City, New York, General Obligation Bonds, Fiscal Series 2005J, 5.000%, 3/01/19 –    3/15 at 100.00    AA    203,296 
     FGIC Insured             
1,000    New York City, New York, General Obligation Bonds, Fiscal Series 2006J-1, 5.000%, 6/01/25    6/16 at 100.00    AA    952,790 
1,260    New York City, New York, General Obligation Bonds, Series D, 5.125%, 12/01/25    12/17 at 100.00    AA    1,215,333 
4,315    Total Tax Obligation/General            4,375,023 
    Tax Obligation/Limited – 17.0%             
600    Battery Park City Authority, New York, Senior Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A, 5.000%, 11/01/23    11/13 at 100.00    AAA    609,480 
500    Erie County Industrial Development Agency, New York, School Facility Revenue Bonds, Buffalo    5/14 at 100.00    AAA    508,900 
     City School District, Series 2004, 5.750%, 5/01/26 – FSA Insured             
500    Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, State Service Contract Refunding Bonds,    7/12 at 100.00    AA    509,060 
     Series 2002A, 5.500%, 1/01/20 – MBIA Insured             
95    Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, New York, Sales Tax Secured Revenue Bonds, Series    3/09 at 100.00    AAA    95,107 
     2001A-2, 5.125%, 11/15/21 – AMBAC Insured             
    New York City Sales Tax Asset Receivable Corporation, New York, Dedicated Revenue Bonds, Local             
    Government Assistance Corporation, Series 2004A:             
250     5.000%, 10/15/25 – MBIA Insured    10/14 at 100.00    AAA    250,753 
200     5.000%, 10/15/26 – MBIA Insured    10/14 at 100.00    AAA    200,484 
1,225     5.000%, 10/15/29 – AMBAC Insured    10/14 at 100.00    AAA    1,198,565 
600    New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Building Aid Revenue Bonds, Fiscal    1/17 at 100.00    AA    578,568 
     Series 2007S-2, 5.000%, 1/15/28 – FGIC Insured             
670    New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Future Tax Secured Bonds, Fiscal    2/13 at 100.00    AAA    675,059 
     Series 2003E, 5.000%, 2/01/23             
550    New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, Future Tax Secured Bonds, Fiscal    11/17 at 100.00    AAA    538,142 
     Series 2007C-1, 5.000%, 11/01/27             
775    New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds,    12/17 at 100.00    AAA    780,549 
     Series 2008A, 5.000%, 12/15/26 (UB)             
250    New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Bonds, Second Genera1 Series    4/14 at 100.00    AA    255,888 
     2004, 5.000%, 4/01/21 – MBIA Insured             
145    New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Bonds, Series 2005B, Trust    No Opt. Call    AA    198,566 
     2800, 13.618%, 4/01/20 – AMBAC Insured (IF)             
425    New York State Thruway Authority, Highway and Bridge Trust Fund Bonds, Series 2007,    10/17 at 100.00    AA    410,168 
     5.000%, 4/01/27             
    New York State Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed and             
    State Contingency Contract-Backed Bonds, Series 2003A-1:             
1,000     5.250%, 6/01/20 – AMBAC Insured    6/13 at 100.00    AA–    974,830 
250     5.250%, 6/01/21 – AMBAC Insured    6/13 at 100.00    AA–    240,503 
500    New York State Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation, Tobacco Settlement Asset-Backed and    6/13 at 100.00    AA–    492,035 
     State Contingency Contract-Backed Bonds, Series 2003B-1C, 5.500%, 6/01/21             
15    Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, Convention Center Bonds, Series 1990E,    No Opt. Call    AA–    15,362 
     7.250%, 1/01/10             
8,550    Total Tax Obligation/Limited            8,532,019 
    Transportation – 2.0%             
180    Albany Parking Authority, New York, Revenue Bonds, Series 2001A, 5.625%, 7/15/25    7/11 at 101.00    BBB+    165,285 
500    Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, Transportation Revenue Bonds, Series 2003A,    No Opt. Call    AA    529,855 
     5.000%, 11/15/15 – FGIC Insured             
100    New York State Thruway Authority, General Revenue Bonds, Series 2005G, 5.000%, 1/01/30 –    7/15 at 100.00    AAA    95,374 
     FSA Insured             
105    Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds, One Hundred Fortieth    6/15 at 101.00    AA–    98,593 
     Series 2005, 5.000%, 12/01/31 – SYNCORA GTY Insured             
120    Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Consolidated Revenue Bonds, One Hundred Forty    8/17 at 100.00    AAA    91,778 
     Eighth Series 2008, Trust 2920, 11.256%, 8/15/32 – FSA Insured (IF)             
1,005    Total Transportation            980,885 
    U.S. Guaranteed – 6.4% (4)             
220    Albany Parking Authority, New York, Revenue Bonds, Series 2001A, 5.625%, 7/15/25    7/11 at 101.00    N/R (4)    244,917 
     (Pre-refunded 7/15/11)             
1,080    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Judicial Facilities Lease Revenue Bonds, Suffolk    No Opt. Call    AAA    1,284,509 
     County Issue, Series 1986, 7.375%, 7/01/16 (ETM)             
250    Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Revenue Bonds, North Shore Long Island Jewish    5/13 at 100.00    Aaa    286,360 
     Group, Series 2003, 5.375%, 5/01/23 (Pre-refunded 5/01/13)             
340    Suffolk County Water Authority, New York, Water Revenue Bonds, Series 1986V, 6.750%,    No Opt. Call    AAA    370,144 
     6/01/12 (ETM)             
965    TSASC Inc., New York, Tobacco Asset-Backed Bonds, Series 2002-1, 5.500%, 7/15/24    7/12 at 100.00    AAA    1,052,361 
     (Pre-refunded 7/15/12)             
2,855    Total U.S. Guaranteed            3,238,291 
    Utilities – 3.4%             
    Long Island Power Authority, New York, Electric System General Revenue Bonds, Series 2006A:             
570     5.000%, 12/01/23 – FGIC Insured    6/16 at 100.00    AA    543,455 
430     5.000%, 12/01/25 – FGIC Insured    6/16 at 100.00    AA    400,674 
500    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Pollution Control Revenue Bonds,    3/11 at 100.00    AA    471,645 
     New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, Series 2005A, 4.100%, 3/15/15 – MBIA Insured             
250    Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, New York, Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue    11/11 at 101.00    Baa2    221,823 
     Bonds, American Ref-Fuel Company of Niagara LP, Series 2001A, 5.450%, 11/15/26 (Mandatory             
     put 11/15/12) (Alternative Minimum Tax)             
60    Westchester County Industrial Development Agency, Westchester County, New York, Resource    3/09 at 100.00    BBB    59,621 
     Recovery Revenue Bonds, RESCO Company, Series 1996, 5.500%, 7/01/09 (Alternative             
     Minimum Tax)             
1,810    Total Utilities            1,697,218 
    Water and Sewer – 12.9%             
2,500    New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, Water and Sewerage System Revenue    6/11 at 101.00    AAA    2,394,122 
     Bonds, Fiscal Series 2001C, 5.125%, 6/15/33             
    New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, State Clean Water and Drinking Water             
    Revolving Funds Revenue Bonds, New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority Loan,             
     Series 2002B:             
2,000     5.250%, 6/15/19    6/12 at 100.00    AAA    2,087,700 
2,000     5.000%, 6/15/27    6/12 at 100.00    AAA    2,001,840 
6,500    Total Water and Sewer            6,483,662 
$        52,045    Total Long-Term Investments (cost $52,555,872) – 98.0%            49,204,489 
Principal                 
Amount (000)    Description (1)    Coupon    Maturiy    Value 
    Short-Term Investments – 1.7%             
$            890    State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit    0.010%    1/02/09  $  890,202 
    Total Short-Term Investments (cost $890,202)            890,202 
    Total Investments (cost $53,446,074) – 99.7%            50,094,691 
    Floating Rate Obligations – (1.2)%            (580,000)
    Other Assets Less Liabilities – 1.5%            712,732 
    Net Assets – 100%           $   50,227,423 

(1)    All percentages shown in the Portfolio of Investments are based on net assets. 
(2)    Optional Call Provisions: Dates (month and year) and prices of the earliest optional call or redemption. 
    There may be other call provisions at varying prices at later dates. Certain mortgage-backed securities 
    may be subject to periodic principal paydowns. 
(3)    Ratings: Using the higher of Standard & Poor's Group ("Standard & Poor's") or Moody's Investor Service, 
    Inc. ("Moody's") rating. Ratings below BBB by Standard & Poor's or Baa by Moody's are considered to be 
    below investment grade. 
    The Portfolio of Investments may reflect the ratings on certain bonds insured by ACA, AGC, AMBAC, CIFG, 
    FGIC, FSA, MBIA, RAAI and SYNCORA as of December 31, 2008. Subsequent to December 31, 2008, and 
    during the period this Portfolio of Investments was prepared, there may have been reductions to the 
    ratings of certain bonds resulting from changes to the ratings of the underlying insurers both during the 
    period and after period end. Such reductions would likely reduce the effective rating of many of the bonds 
    insured by that insurer or insurers presented at period end. 
(4)    Backed by an escrow or trust containing sufficient U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities 
    which ensure the timely payment of principal and interest. Such investments are normally considered to 
    be equivalent to AAA rated securities. 
N/R    Not rated. 
(ETM)    Escrowed to maturity. 
(IF)    Inverse floating rate investment 
(UB)    Underlying bond of an inverse floating rate trust reflected as a financing transaction pursuant to provisions 
    of SFAS No. 140. 

Fair Value Measurements

During the current fiscal period, the Fund adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (SFAS No.157) “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. In determining the value of the Fund's investments various inputs are used. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs (including management's assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the Fund's fair value measurements as of December 31, 2008:

    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total 
Investments    $890,202    $49,204,489    $ —    $50,094,691 

The following is a reconciliation of the Fund's Level 3 investments held at the beginning and end of the measurement period:

        Level 3 
    Investments 
Balance at beginning of period    $527,326 
 Gains (losses):         
     Net realized gains (losses)        — 
     Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    122,674 
 Net purchases at cost (sales at proceeds)    (650,000)
 Net discounts (premiums)        — 
 Net transfers in to (out of) at end of period fair value        — 
Balance at end of period            $ — 

Income Tax Information

The following information is presented on an income tax basis. Differences between amounts for financial statement and federal income tax purposes are primarily due to timing differences in recognizing taxable market discount, timing differences in recognizing certain gains and losses on investment transactions and the treatment of investments in inverse floating rate transactions subject to SFAS No. 140. To the extent that differences arise that are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities presented in the annual report, based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Temporary and permanent differences do not impact the net asset value of the Fund.

At December 31, 2008, the cost of investments was $52,857,352.

Gross unrealized appreciation and gross unrealized depreciation of investments at December 31, 2008, were as follows:

Gross unrealized:     
  Appreciation    $   674,966 
  Depreciation    (4,018,344)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments    $(3,343,378)

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

  1. The registrant's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).
  2. There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3. Exhibits.

File as exhibits as part of this Form a separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), exactly as set forth below: See EX-99 CERT attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant)         Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio         

By (Signature and Title)          /s/ Kevin J. McCarthy                    
                                                  Kevin J. McCarthy
                                                  Vice President and Secretary

Date         February 27, 2009        

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title)         /s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman                    
                                                 Gifford R. Zimmerman
                                                 Chief Administrative Officer (principal executive officer) 

Date         February 27, 2009        

By (Signature and Title)         /s/ Stephen D. Foy                              
                                                 Stephen D. Foy
                                                 Vice President and Controller (principal financial officer) 

Date        February 27, 2009