NYC – Residents Eligible for Free Tax Preparation Services

2026-02-04 - 14:07

New York City is offering free tax preparation services to eligible residents while stepping up enforcement against predatory tax preparers ahead of the April tax filing deadline, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday. Under the NYC Free Tax Prep program, individuals and couples without dependents who earned up to $68,000 last year, as well as families with incomes of up to $97,000, can file their tax returns at no cost. City officials say nearly half of all New Yorkers qualify for the service. The initiative connects residents with IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who assist with filing returns free of charge, helping filers avoid costly fees often charged by private tax services. “In a city where a dignified life is already hard enough to afford, where rent, child care, and transportation costs feel overwhelming to so many, a few extra dollars can make all the difference,” Mamdani said at a press conference. He added that the program allows New Yorkers to “keep every dollar they’ve earned and avoid the predatory fees that are widespread in the tax industry.” Last year, approximately 110,000 tax returns were completed through NYC Free Tax Prep, saving residents an average of $346 per return. In total, the program helped New Yorkers retain an estimated $38 million, according to city officials. The service operates year-round at more than 140 locations across the city, including NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth sites. It offers in-person, drop-off, and virtual filing options in multiple languages and is available to small business owners, freelancers, and gig workers, in addition to wage earners. Alongside the free filing initiative, the city is intensifying oversight of tax preparers accused of overcharging clients or imposing hidden fees. Commissioner Sam Levine of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection said inspectors are being deployed citywide to ensure compliance with local laws. “Too often, deceptive practices like high-interest refund loans marketed as ‘fast cash’ drive up the cost of filing,” Levine said. “This tax season, we are warning preparers about the city’s ban on illegal overcharging and hidden fees, and urging New Yorkers to ask for the Consumer Bill of Rights before paying anyone to prepare their taxes.” City officials encouraged residents to report suspected violations and to seek information about free tax preparation services through the city’s consumer protection resources.