NYS tax commissioner: Nearly 297,000 Erie County taxpayers can save money by filing their income taxes for free via state website

User-friendly software guides taxpayers through federal and state filing process

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today encouraged the nearly 297,000 eligible taxpayers in Erie County to file both their federal and state tax returns for free from the tax department's website: www.tax.ny.gov.

"Nearly 297,000 taxpayers in Erie County are eligible to prepare and file their returns for free," New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone said. "Yet most taxpayers hire a tax preparer or purchase tax software. We encourage Erie County residents with income under $62,000 to take advantage of our free, easy and secure filing options."

File online or at a free tax return filing assistance site.

The tax department's "e-file for free" initiative allows taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income under $62,000 to save the cost of hiring a preparer by filing both their federal and state income tax returns at no cost. User-friendly software available on the tax department website walks the taxpayer through the filing process one step at a time. Taxpayers can only be sure they won't be charged unexpected fees if they use the software options available from this website.

Erie County taxpayers with incomes under $62,000 are also eligible to visit one of the five free tax assistance sites hosted in conjunction with the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System:

• Dudley Branch, 2010 South Park Ave., Buffalo
• Erie County Public Library, One Lafayette Square, Buffalo
• Kenilworth Branch, 318 Montrose Ave., Tonawanda
• Lackawanna Public Library, 560 Ridge Road, Lackawanna
• West Seneca Public Library, 1300 Union Road, West Seneca

Tax department volunteers are available to answer questions as taxpayers use the same straightforward software available on the department's website. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted at many locations on a first-come, first-served basis. 

For more information:

• E-file for free
• Check your refund status