One Month Until Tax Day: File Your Tax Return Simply and Quickly

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The NYS Tax Department website has free resources available to help ensure timely and accurate returns before the April 15 deadline

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded taxpayers that information available on its website, www.tax.ny.gov, can help make filing personal income tax returns simple, fast, and free for qualifying New Yorkers.

Federal and state income tax returns must be filed by Monday, April 15.

“We want to provide the most convenient tax filing experience possible,” said Acting Tax Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “The resources available at www.tax.ny.gov can help taxpayers quickly and easily meet their filing obligations and receive any refunds they’re owed.”

Visit the Tax Department’s Income tax filing season resource center webpage for helpful information about how to prepare and file your federal and state income tax returns.

Make it simple

To get started, gather the information and documents needed to file a New York State income tax return:

• an active email account (enables you to file electronically and keep track of the status of your return)

• a copy of last year’s federal income tax return or your prior-year federal adjusted gross income (FAGI)

• a driver license or state-issued nondriver ID (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly)

• birth dates and Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and your dependents

• proof of income and tax withheld (wages, interest, and dividend statements):

                      o Forms W-2, 1098, 1099

       o if you received unemployment payments, your Department of Labor 1099-G Tax Form

       o any other documents showing additional income

• the total of any estimated payments you made throughout the year, as well as any overpayment from last year’s New York State income tax return you asked to have applied to your taxes this year (more information is available at Review your tax account balance before you file)

• Forms 1095-A, B, or C, Affordable Healthcare Statement

• information related to any Income tax credits you are claiming

• your banking information for direct deposit of your income tax refund

• NY 529 College Saving Account information (if requesting refund to be deposited)

Make it fast

E-filing is safer, faster, and more efficient than sending paper returns through the mail. Those who e-file and use direct deposit will receive any refund owed faster and without the worry of a lost or undelivered check.

Taxpayers can quickly view the status of their New York State tax refund anytime by using the Check your Refund application on the Tax Department website: www.tax.ny.gov. It is the fastest and most convenient way to know when to expect your refund.

Make it free

New York State and the IRS have developed a new program that allows eligible New Yorkers to e-file their federal and state personal income tax returns for free. The Direct File pilot program is currently open to New Yorkers reporting certain types of income and claiming certain credits and adjustments.

Taxpayers may also be eligible to use Free File software to e-file their federal and state income tax returns—at no cost. Free File provides free tax preparation software options to eligible New Yorkers through the Tax Department’s Free File web page at www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/.

To avoid fees, carefully review eligibility criteria for each software provider and access the Free File software directly from our website: www.tax.ny.gov.

If you do not qualify to use one of New York’s Free File software providers, you still have choices. See Other e-file options on the Tax Department website to learn more.