$200 Million in Fees Saved Through NYC Free Tax Prep! One Week Left in This Year's Tax Season!

April 8, 2025

NEW YORK, NY – New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced a major milestone in the city’s NYC Free Tax Prep program with over $200 million in filing fees saved since 2015. The milestone comes with only one week left in this year’s tax season and in time for Financial Empowerment Month. NYC Free Tax Prep helps New Yorkers file for free and keep their full tax refund, including valuable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Families that earned $93,000 or less, or individuals who earned $65,000 or less in 2024 are eligible to file through NYC Free Tax Prep. Last year, NYC Free Tax Prep filed more than 101,000 tax returns, saving New Yorkers more than $33 million in costly tax preparation fees – which this year cost $330 on average – and helping them avoid predatory paid tax preparers. NYC Free Tax Prep offers year-round services for those who need additional assistance outside of the tax season and for self-employed New Yorkers who often must make quarterly estimated tax payments.

“For over a decade, NYC Free Tax Prep has helped tens of thousands of New Yorkers keep their hard-earned money and receive the fullest refund possible,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “We urge all New Yorkers to file their taxes now ahead of the IRS’s deadline, and to file through NYC Free Tax Prep if you qualify.”

The City encourages eligible filers to file for free with NYC Free Tax Prep but consumers who use a paid tax preparer should ask the preparer for the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (additional languages available), and read it carefully before having their taxes prepared. Consumers should also be on alert for predatory tax preparers that overcharge, charge hidden fees, or file their return without permission. This tax season, DCWP issued more than 80 summonses to paid tax preparers for violating the city’s consumer protection laws.

New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep to choose the best filing option for them and find the most convenient location if choosing in-person or drop-off tax prep. A checklist of what documents New Yorkers need to bring with them to file and multilingual information about the services are available at nyc.gov/TaxPrep. In-person services are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Korean, Russian, Urdu. Frequently Asked Questions about NYC Free Tax Prep are available on DCWP’s website. Visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep to stay up to date and join the #FreeTaxPrep conversation on DCWP’s social media channels. 

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)—protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
Michael Lanza / Stephany Vasquez Sanchez
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov