Yes! You will not be charged for any part of completing your return, including e-filing and direct deposit.

Yes. NYC Free Tax Prep offers both in-person and remote services, including:

• In-Person Tax Prep. At an NYC Free Tax Prep site for in-person tax prep, an IRS certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparer will sit down with you to complete an accurate tax return. Sessions take a minimum of 30 minutes.
• Drop-off Service. At an NYC Free Tax Prep site for drop-off service, you can drop off your tax documents and pick up the completed return later.
• Virtual Tax Prep is a safe and reliable online tax prep service. An IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer will help you file your tax return during a 60-90 minute virtual call; use a secure digital system to manage your tax documents; and answer your tax questions.
• Self-Prep with Help (or Assisted Self-Prep) is a safe and reliable online tax prep service. Do your own taxes with easy-to-use tax filing software but phone or email a volunteer for help when needed.

Learn more at nyc.gov/taxprep.

Fees. Paid tax preparers can cost you hundreds of dollars in fees that take away from your refund. At times these fees can be confusing with paid tax preparers advertising no out-of-pocket cost but later claiming a portion of your refund. This is money that you’ve earned, but are giving away.

It depends. On average, tax preparation fees are about $150 to $250 in New York. That’s about the same as two monthly MetroCards, three months of cell phone service, or five boxes of diapers.

Anyone who lives or works in New York City can use an NYC Free Tax Prep site. In general, individuals must have earned $59,000 or less and families with dependents must have earned $85,000 or less in 2023 to file in person at an NYC Free Tax Prep site. Learn more at nyc.gov/taxprep. If you live outside of NYC, visit the IRS website at irs.gov to find an IRS VITA/TCE site near you.

No matter how you file, NYC Free Tax Prep preparers answer questions all year round. If you have a question about your return or receive a letter from the IRS or the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, NYC Free Tax Prep preparers can help. If you didn't meet the April 15th tax filing deadline, you can apply for an extension to file from the IRS and the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.

It's important to understand that this extension only applies to filing and not paying any taxes that are due. If your payment is received after the deadline, fines and fees may apply. If you think you will owe taxes it is a good idea to make an estimate payment.

If you don't owe taxes, you will not be penalized for filing late if you request an extension. For example, if your income is below the 2023 requirement to file ($13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for joint filers) or if you typically get a refund and do not owe.

If you made over $59,000 without dependents or $85,000 with dependents in 2023, you may be eligible to file your taxes for free using the IRS Direct File pilot.

The IRS Direct File pilot is a new free service that offers an easy and secure way to electronically file your 2023 federal tax return directly with the IRS. The pilot is limited to eligible taxpayers reporting only certain types of income and claiming limited credits and deductions. Visit directfile.irs.gov to find out if you’re eligible and if the program is right for you.

Your IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer will use software to ask you the right questions to ensure that your return is completed accurately. A second preparer double-checks every return to make sure that nothing is missed and you get the full refund you deserve. But, the first step to an accurate return is bringing all of your documents and records to your appointment.

IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers are New Yorkers like you who go through training and testing to be able to complete certain tax forms and schedules. They understand taxes and are up-to-date on recent tax law changes. They know how to make sure that you get every credit and deduction available to you, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and NYC Child Care Tax Credit (NYC CCTC).

In general, volunteer preparers at NYC Free Tax Prep sites CAN prepare most basic state and federal income tax returns, including itemized deductions, simple self-employment, amended returns, and prior-year returns.

Most volunteer preparers CANNOT prepare more complex returns, which include:

• Business income with more than $35,000 in expenses
• Business income with net losses
• Business income with deductions for inventory, depreciation, or employees

NEW! If you work for yourself, you need to file taxes annually and make estimated tax payments quarterly. NYC Free Tax Prep can help. Look for sites specifically for the self-employed where you can get other free resources to help you grow your business. If you are unsure, please call the site before making an appointment to confirm they can help you complete your return.

In general, your time at the site will begin with you answering an intake form to help your preparer complete your tax return accurately. Then, your preparer will use software, your intake form, and your documents to fill out the necessary forms and schedules. They will also ask you questions to make sure they have the correct information. After your return is completed, a second preparer will review the return to make sure it’s error-free. During busy times, you may have a long wait for this review. After your return is reviewed, it will be printed for you to sign and to keep for your records. At this time, you have a final opportunity to ask questions before signing authorization for the preparer to e-file your return for you. After your return is e-filed, it will be processed by the IRS computers. If there are any errors when the file is processed – such as a misspelled name – site management will contact you to resolve the error and then re-file the return.

Filers and volunteer preparers must follow New York State health guidelines.

Yes. Many NYC Free Tax Prep sites are able to assist clients in other languages. Visit the Site Finder page and search by language to find a site where services are provided in your language.

Most sites take appointments. However, a few are on a walk-in basis only. Please see site information on the our map to see if appointments are available.

If you have an appointment at a site, please be on time. If you are unable to make your appointment, contact the site to let them know as early as possible. Sites that take appointments can fill up quickly and are often fully booked. If you are late for an appointment, the site may not be able to take you when you arrive and may not be able to schedule an alternate time for you.

Walk-in sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and will have a waiting list if all the preparers are busy with other taxpayers. Wait times at walk-in sites can be lengthy, especially throughout the month of February and on weekends.

Please email us at NYCTaxInitiative@dcwp.nyc.gov and we’ll get back to you about hosting a site in your community.