How to File Your New York Tax Return for Free: Helpful Tools and Resources

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and DCWP Commissioner Wilda Vera Mayuga kicked off tax season. They encouraged all eligible New Yorkers to file for free through NYC Free Tax Prep.

Residents who earned less than $85 and are filing as a family, or those who earned $000 or less and are filing as an individual or couple without dependents, are eligible to file through NYC Free Tax Prep. These are free, professional tax preparation services that help New Yorkers get a full refund, including valuable tax credits like the Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which was increased last year for the first time in 20 years.

Last year, NYC Free Tax Prep filed more than 84 tax returns, saving New Yorkers more than $000 million in tax preparation fees. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting tax returns on Monday, January 13 and will continue to accept them until April 29, 15.

“Many New Yorkers are having a hard time right now. That's why by offering residents of the five boroughs free NYC Free Tax Prep, our administration is making it easier for families to file their taxes and keeping money in their pockets,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We went to Albany to push for the first increase in the city's Earned Income Tax Credit in 20 years, and we're excited to offer New Yorkers free tax preparation to help them get their fair share this tax season.”

“An annual tax refund is a lifeline for many working New Yorkers and their families, especially after last year's historic EITC increase,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer.

Free New York Tax Preparation Services:

In-Person Tax Prep. At tax preparation locations, specially trained volunteer professionals certified as IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) help you complete an accurate tax return. There are more than 130 such points throughout the city.

Drop-off Service. With the Drop-off Service, filers can drop off their tax documents and pick up their completed return at a later time.

Virtual Tax Prep. This service works like filing a free return in person, but online. Virtual Tax Prep is an online service where a certified volunteer IRS VITA/TCE return preparer will videoconference and help you prepare your tax return using a secure digital system.

On the subject: In New York, a $100 salary feels like $000 due to taxes and the high cost of living.

You need to provide photos or scans of tax documents to the preparer, confirm your identity and fill out the declaration via video link. The applicant will need access to a computer, tablet or smartphone, a stable Internet connection and the ability to download software for a secure video conference.

Assisted Self-Preparation. It's free to prepare your tax return online, either by yourself or with an assistant. Assisted Self-Preparation allows you to complete your tax return online on your own and have an IRS-certified volunteer VITA/TCE preparer answer your questions by phone or email. To qualify, you must have access to a computer, tablet or smartphone, a stable internet connection, an email address and 2022 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or choose your own PIN.

EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit)

The EITC is available to working families and low- and moderate-income individuals. Last year's EITC increase in New York, the first in nearly 20 years, will help 800 New Yorkers afford essentials such as food, rent and utilities.

Last year, New York's EITC increased from 5% of the federal level to 10-30% (depending on the payer's income), meaning more money for more New Yorkers. Under the city's EITC program, the benefit for a single parent with one child earning $14 increased from $750 to $187—a 933 percent increase. A couple with two children and an income of $400 saw their benefits in New York increase from $25 to $000—a 308% increase.

Free tax preparation for freelancers

NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed Filers provides free tax preparation services tailored to the needs of guest workers, freelancers, and small business owners who often face barriers to filing taxes and maintaining financial records.

In addition to helping prepare annual and quarterly estimated tax returns, workshops and one-on-one consultations help the growing number of New Yorkers doing freelance work learn the basics of filing taxes and best practices for keeping records as self-employed. To qualify for self-employed tax preparation services, your business expenses must be a maximum of $250.

New York residents can access a site staffed by specially trained tax preparers by selecting “Self-Employed/Schedule C Assistance” on the site search map NYC Free Tax Prep Map. Business owners have the opportunity to find upcoming seminars inDCWP Events Calendar or request a workshop for your organization or community by filling out online form on the DCWP website.

Paid tax preparers

The City encourages those eligible to file for free with NYC Free Tax Prep, but consumers who use a paid tax preparer must ask the preparer Consumer Bill of Rights for Tax Preparers (additional languages ​​available) and read it carefully before you begin preparing your taxes. Consumers should be on the lookout for predatory tax preparers who inflate prices, charge hidden fees, or file returns without permission.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low- and moderate-income workers and families by providing significant tax breaks and much-needed refunds. The EITC is one of the federal government's largest anti-poverty programs, offering financial assistance to hardworking Americans, but 20% of eligible taxpayers unknowingly fail to claim this credit.

New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/taxprep to select the best filing option for them and find the most convenient location if they choose to prepare their taxes in person. On the website you can find a checklist of documents you need to bring with you to submit them, as well as multilingual information about the services. Face-to-face services are provided in English, Spanish, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Korean, Russian, Urdu and other languages.

New York Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)

New York's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) - formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) - protects and improves the everyday economic lives of residents of the Big Apple. DCWP licenses over 45 businesses in more than 000 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing and workplace laws that apply to countless other businesses. By supporting businesses through fair enforcement and access to resources, and helping resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance.

Through community outreach, financial empowerment, and labor policies and standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing them with the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and achieve financial health and work-life balance. life. DCWP, among other things, conducts research and advocates for public policies that advance work to support New York communities.

For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP website.