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NYS Tax Department expands partnership with local colleges to offer more ways to e-file federal and NYS income tax returns at no cost
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced it’s partnering with multiple colleges in Western New York to offer free electronic tax preparation and filing resources to students, faculty and members of the community. Those with income of $69,000 or less in 2019 may be eligible to file their federal and state taxes at one of the Tax Department’s free tax assistance sites.
“College students who can no longer be claimed as dependents on their parents’ income tax returns may be required by law to file their own tax returns,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Michael Schmidt. “I’m thrilled to help by offering free services to these college students and faculty in our expanding partnership with colleges around New York state.”
Free tax assistance locations include:
Other tax assistance sites are open to any taxpayer earning $69,000 or less in 2019. These include
One can find a schedule of dates and times at each free tax assistance site in Western New York on the Tax Department website.
What to bring:
Tax Department experts will be on hand to guide you through the tax preparation and filing software. At certain locations, they can assist taxpayers in multiple languages.
The IRS and AARP also offer free tax filing services at locations statewide. If one’s income is $55,000 or less, AARP volunteers and certified IRS volunteers can help them prepare both federal and state returns at no cost. To locate volunteers nearby, visit the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) webpage: Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers.
Free Tax Preparation Software Available Online
One doesn’t need to visit a free tax assistance site, though: If eligible, one can also access and use the same free software anytime from a computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.tax.ny.gov.
Click Free File your income tax return on the Tax Department website to be directed to the tax preparation software. Using the software can reduce filing errors that delay return processing and refunds. It also prevents valuable credits from being overlooked.
Filing information
Your federal filing status is used to determine one’s filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits, and correct tax. If one is a New York resident, one must file Form IT-201, Resident Income Tax Return. If one is a part-year resident, one must file Form IT-203, Nonresident and Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return.
One has additional filing responsibilities if one is a New York City or Yonkers resident or part-year resident, or have Yonkers income, or are subject to the MCTMT. To determine the proper forms to file, visit the Tax Department website, www.tax.ny.gov (search: resident).