DCWP - FAQs About NYC Free Tax Prep

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FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep


FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep

Maximum credits. Full refund. Your family deserves it. Get it back.

If you earned $93,000 or less in 2024, file for FREE with an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer. The deadline to file a tax return for your 2024 taxes is April 15, 2025.

NYC Free Tax Prep preparers provide assistance all year round. If you missed the deadline, you can still use NYC Free Tax Prep to file your return or have questions answered.

Jump to FAQ section for:

About the Services
About the Preparers
About the Sites
Prior-year Returns
Help with ITINs
Tax Credits and Refunds
Help with Filing
Volunteering
Paid Preparers

About the Services

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Is “free” really free?

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

Do you offer remote services?

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.

What’s the difference between free tax prep and paid preparers?

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.

How much can I save with NYC Free Tax Prep?

It depends. On average, tax preparation fees are about $320 in New York. That’s about the same as three monthly MetroCards, two months of cell phone service, or six boxes of diapers.

Who can use NYC Free Tax Prep?

Anyone who lives or works in New York City can use an NYC Free Tax Prep site. In general, individuals must have earned $65,000 or less and families with dependents must have earned $93,000 or less in 2024 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.

I was not able to file my taxes by April 15, 2025. What can I do if I qualify for NYC Free Tax Prep?

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 2024 requirement to file ($14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for joint filers) or if you typically get a refund and do not owe.

I make over the income thresholds for NYC Free Tax Prep. Where can I file my taxes for free?

If you made over $65,000 without dependents or $93,000 with dependents in 2024, 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 2024 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.

About the Preparers

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Will my return be done correctly?

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.

Who are IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers?

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).

About the Sites

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What kind of tax returns CANNOT be prepared at an NYC Free Tax Prep site?

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

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.

What can I expect at an NYC Free Tax Prep site?

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.

If I file in-person, what health and safety protocols are being implemented?

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

Is help available in languages other than English?

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.

Can I make an appointment?

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.

How do I bring an NYC Free Tax Prep site to my neighborhood?

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

Prior-year Returns

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I forgot to file or need to fix a return from a previous tax year. Can you help me?

Yes. Some NYC Free Tax Prep sites can help you complete your return for the 2023, 2022, and 2021 tax year or correct a return for the 2023, 2022, or 2021 tax year. They may also be able to help with additional years. Use our map to find a site.

Help with ITINs

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Can NYC Free Tax Prep help me apply for or renew an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

You can apply for an ITIN if you were in the United States for at least 6 months in 2024, or any year in which you need to file a tax return, and have income you need to report. If you are eligible for a Social Security Number through Temporary Protective Status, parole, or some other program, you should not apply for an ITIN. It is important to know that an ITIN does not give work authorization and it does not change your immigration status. If you are unsure about your eligibility for an ITIN, please use this interactive IRS tool to determine your eligibility.

Some NYC Free Tax Prep sites participate in the IRS Certified Acceptance Agent program and can help you complete your ITIN application or renewal. Use our map to find a site.

To learn more about ITINs, read FAQs: ITIN.

Tax Credits and Refunds

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What are some valuable tax credits?

Child Tax Credit. Earned Income Tax Credit. Child and Dependent Care Credit. Claiming even one of these tax credits could return thousands of dollars to you in 2024. Learn more about tax credits.

What are my options for receiving my refund, and how soon can I expect it?

You can either have your refund direct deposited into a bank account or have it mailed to you as a check. Direct deposits typically arrive in 10-14 days while paper checks take 3-4 weeks. For direct deposit, you must bring your routing number and account number to the tax site (typically, as a blank check). Please note: If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, there could be a delay in receiving refunds until mid-February. To check the status of your federal refund, visit irs.gov/refunds or download the IRS2Go Mobile App.

What is the EITC refund delay?

Due to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act passed in 2015, the IRS must hold refunds for filers who claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) until at least February 15 each year. This law requires the IRS to hold the entire refund – even the part not coming from the EITC or CTC. Visit the IRS website at irs.gov to learn more.

Help with Filing

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What if I need help after I file?

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. They will explain the letter and let you know your options to get the issue resolved. This service is completely free.

Volunteering

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How can I become a volunteer preparer?

Learn about volunteer opportunities at nyc.gov/volunteertaxprep

Paid Preparers

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What if I want to use a paid preparer? What should I look out for?

Make sure you know your rights. Ask for an estimate before they begin, read the fine print for any “advances” or “checks,” and double-check your return before you file.

This page was updated 11/2024