You can go to an NYC Free Tax Prep site to get free help preparing your taxes.

Sites offer different options, including:

• In-person assistance: An IRS certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparer will prepare your taxes for you while you wait.
• Drop-off service: You can drop off your tax documents and pick up the completed return later.

NYC Free Tax Prep provides four ways to file your taxes for free online with help from IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers:

• Virtual Tax Preparation: Use a secure video conference and digital system to give information to a volunteer who will prepare your taxes for you.
• Assisted Self-Preparation: Use the online service to do your own taxes; a volunteer preparer will be available by phone or email to answer your questions.
• Online Tax Prep Service GetYourRefund.org: Either file virtually with an IRS-certified VITA/TCE preparer if you make under $66,000 or on your own using Get Your Refund's Free Filing software if you make under $79,000.
• Online Tax Prep Service Direct File: If you make under $200,000 ($160,200 if you have more than one employer) and have a simple tax return, file online using the new IRS Direct File tool. Direct File will walk you step-by-step through filing your federal return in under an hour, using simple questions and plain language.

Learn more about NYC Free Tax Prep online services.

What You Need

To use the online services, you must have:

• Access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone
• A stable internet connection
• Texting or email (for assisted self-preparation)
• The ability to download secure video conference software (for virtual tax preparation)

You will need the following documents to do your 2024 taxes:

Identification

• Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, IDNYC card, or passport
• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) and ITIN determination letters (original, copy, or electronic) for you, your spouse, and your dependents
• Birth dates for you, your spouse, and your dependents

Income Documents

• Your 2023 tax return, if available. To request a transcript, call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at (800) 908-9946 or visit irs.gov and search “Get Transcript.”
• Income statements or forms, including:
  • Form W-2 (wages from each job)
  • Form 1099-G if you received unemployment insurance at any point during 2024. To obtain a form, visit dol.ny.gov and search “1099-G.”
  • Form SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits)
  • Form 1099-INT (interest)
  • Form 1099-DIV (dividends)
  • Form 1099-R (retirement plans)
  • Form 1099-B (sale of stock)
  • Form 1099-MISC (miscellaneous income)
  • Form 1098-T (tuition payments, scholarships, and grants to attend a university or technical college)
  • Form 1098-E (interest paid on student loans)
  • Form 1099-C (cancellation of debt)
  • Form 1099-K (deposits and earnings)
  • Form W-2G (gambling winnings)

Banking Information

• Checking or savings account and routing numbers to request direct deposit for your refund (find at the bottom of a check)

Other

• Proof of health insurance (Forms 1095-A, 1095-B, or 1095-C) or Health Insurance Exemption Certificate (if applicable) for you, your spouse, and your dependents
• Child care payment records, including the provider's name, address, and Employer Identification Number, Taxpayer Identification Number, or Social Security number
• Cash and non-cash charitable contribution records

If you are married and filing jointly, both you and your spouse must sign the required forms.

If you live outside New York City, you can contact the following agencies for information about free tax preparation assistance and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). You can also use the Get Your Refund online tool at getyourrefund.org.

If you work for yourself, you need to file taxes annually and make estimated tax payments quarterly. NYC Free Tax Prep can help. 

Sites specifically for the self-employed will offer free resources to help you grow your business, including:

• In-person specialized tax prep: Get help completing federal and New York State tax returns, including quarterly estimated tax filings.
• Workshops: Learn the basics of tax filing and recordkeeping best practices.
• One-on-one consultations: Get personalized assistance and tools specific to your business.
• Toolkits and more: Get recordkeeping templates and tips. Also, get connected to free City services and resources to help you build assets and grow your business. 

For these services you must have business expenses of $250,000 or less for tax preparation services and meet the income guidelines for the program. No income or expense limits apply for workshops, one-on-one consultations, and toolkits.

Get free resources to help you file your taxes.

You can get a brochure with information about free tax filing options.

Online

You can download an NYC Free Tax Prep brochure and flyers in English and:

• Arabic
• Bengali
• Chinese
• French
• Haitian Creole
• Hebrew
• Korean
• Polish
• Russian
• Spanish
• Urdu
• Yiddish

Download the NYC Free Tax Prep brochure and flyers.

By Mail

You can get a copy of the NYC Free Tax Prep brochure in English and in:

• Arabic
• Bengali
• Chinese
• French
• Haitian Creole
• Korean
• Polish
• Russian
• Spanish
• Urdu

If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your tax return, the IRS must temporarily hold your refund until February 15. The IRS must hold your entire refund, including any part not from the EITC or ACTC.

This delay is the result of a law intended to protect you by making sure that you receive the refund you are owed. It also gives the IRS more time to detect and prevent fraud.

Even though the IRS must temporarily hold refunds for filers who claim the EITC or ACTC, the IRS will still issue most refunds in less than 21 days after February 15.

Be careful about payment obligations, given the refund delay. This includes using a Refund Anticipation Loan or other loan and preparer fee agreements in which repayment is dependent on your tax refund. Remember: No one can give you immediate access to your tax refund, either the full amount or an “advance”, before the IRS. Learn more about Refund Anticipation Products on the Tax Preparation Business Tips page.

Be especially aware of any stated repayment dates. Do not risk more costs by agreeing to a repayment schedule that requires full payment before you get your refund.

Learn about Federal tax refunds and check refund status.