Governor Cuomo Announces Additional Free Tax Filing Assistance Across NYS

LongIsland.com

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced additional free tax filing assistance events across New York State.

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92% of all personal income tax returns in New York are filed electronically.

Photo by: Governor's Press Office.

Albany, NY - March 8, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced additional free tax filing assistance events across New York State. At these events, Tax Department volunteers will be available to help low and middle-income taxpayers file their taxes online for free ahead of the April 18 deadline. Since the tax filing season began in January, the Tax Department has partnered with various organizations to provide free tax filing assistance to thousands of taxpayers at 54 locations throughout New York State.

"These events will help ensure hard-working New Yorkers have access to the assistance and resources they need to file their returns properly and on time,” Governor Cuomo said. "I urge all who qualify for this service to attend a filing event near them and take advantage of this free assistance this tax season."

New York taxpayers with adjusted gross household incomes of $64,000 or less in 2016 qualify to file their tax return using free online software at these events. The tax software helps reduce errors and ensures that valuable credits, such as Earned Income Tax credits, are claimed. The error rate for e-filed returns is 20 times lower than it is for paper returns, speeding processing and refunds.

To provide this service to more New Yorkers, Governor Cuomo has scheduled additional filing events in New York City, Capital Region, Central New York, North Country, Long Island, and Western New York. Tax Department employees will be at each event to answer questions about the software and assist taxpayers.

New York City
Saturday, March 11
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow
280 Wyckoff Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237

Monday, April 3
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Brooklyn Public Library – Dekalb Branch
790 Bushwick Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11221

Long Island
Friday, March 31
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Huntington Opportunity Research Center
1264 New York Avenue
Huntington Station, NY 11746

Capital Region
Saturday, March 25
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Empire State Plaza Concourse
Albany, NY 12210

Central NY
Wednesday, March 22
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cortland Free Library
32 Church Street
Cortland, NY 13045

Thursday, March 23
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Huntington Memorial Library
62 Chestnut Street
Oneonta, NY 13820

Tuesday, March 28
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Southeast Steuben County Library
300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza
Corning, NY 14830

North Country
Wednesday, April 5
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ogdensburg Public Library
312 Washington Street
Ogdensburg, NY 13669

Thursday, April 6
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Plattsburgh Public Library
19 Oak Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Western NY
Thursday, March 30
1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Olean Public Library
134 North Second Street
Olean, NY 14760

Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion said, "This free service provides lower income New Yorkers the assistance they need to accurately file their taxes in a timely manner. I urge eligible taxpayers to consider attending one of our many free events across the state to gain valuable insight from our expert Tax Department volunteers."

Eligible taxpayers can help ensure a successful filing experience by bringing the proper documents with them to this free filing event, including a copy of last year’s tax return, driver license or state-issued ID, Form W-2, and Social Security numbers. Review a full list of documents to bring on the Tax Department’s website.

Taxpayers with adjusted gross household income of $64,000 or less who can’t attend a free-filing event can access free software at www.tax.ny.gov to file both their federal and state tax returns for free (search: free file).

The Tax Department provides a highly secure, encrypted system designed to protect a filer’s personal and confidential information. Paper returns and the sensitive information they contain, on the other hand, could be lost or stolen. Additionally, by e-filing at home or at one of the free filing sites, taxpayers will help ensure they claim credits and deductions they may be eligible for.