Mayor Eric Adams, in collaboration with NYC Health+Hospitals, announced today free, in-person and virtual tax preparation services for New Yorkers who, as a family, earn $85,000 or less annually and those who, as individuals, earn $59,000 or less annually. To access the benefit, people can go to selected sites hosted at City Public Hospitals and ask for it in several different languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, and Bengali–the four most commonly spoken around the five boroughs.
“Every day, we work to make it easy for families to file their taxes and keep money in their pockets. We went to Albany to secure the first increase in the city’s Earned Income Tax Credit in 20 years, and we are thrilled to offer New Yorkers NYC Free Tax Prep to help them receive their fair share this tax season,” Mayor Adams said.
Started last January 29, this tax season is due on April 15, so there is still plenty of time to ask for this benefit. Which includes:
- In-Person Tax Preparation: At in-person tax prep sites, knowledgeable Internal Revenue Service (IRS) certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparers help filers complete an accurate tax return. More than 130 sites across the city will be open throughout the season.
- Drop-Off Service: With drop-off service, filers can drop off their tax documents and pick up the completed return later.
- Virtual Tax Preparation: Virtual Tax Preparation is an online service where an IRS-certified VITA or TCE volunteer preparer will video conference with filers to help prepare their tax return using a secure digital system. Filers can submit photos or scans of tax documents to the preparer, confirm their identity, and complete their return by video call with a preparer. Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; and the ability to download secure video conference software.
- Assisted Self-Preparation: Assisted Self-Preparation allows filers to complete their tax return online on their own, and an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer will be available by phone or email to answer questions. Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; an email address; and their 2022 adjusted gross income or self-select PIN.
To file the 2023 tax return, New Yorkers need to provide their ID, proof of income, business expenses when self-employed, and banking information. For in-person services, scheduling an appointment in advance is mandatory. Instead, choosing for virtual services means meeting online with a tax preparer to review the documents before submission. People can check the full list on their website.
This program is part of the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s Free Tax Prep initiative, in partnership with BronxWorks, Grow Brooklyn, Urban Upbound, and Code for America’s GetYourRefund initiative.
