The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced six more opportunities for eligible Capital Region taxpayers to take advantage of free tax filing assistance from the New York State Tax Department ahead of the April 17 filing deadline.

A schedule of dates, times, and locations is available online at www.tax.ny.gov/fsa. To ensure a smooth filing experience at the Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA) site, the webpage also includes a checklist of key documents taxpayers need to bring with them.

“This free service puts tax filing at your fingertips,” Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion said. “Tax Department staff will be at each location to answer questions and help guide you through the tax preparation software and e-filing process—the most secure and efficient way to file.”

Taxpayers with adjusted gross household incomes of $66,000 or less in 2017 may use free, user-friendly software at these assistance sites to electronically prepare and file both their state and federal tax returns. Tax Department experts will be available at each site to help New Yorkers through the filing process at no charge.
 
Eligible taxpayers don’t need to visit a site, though: they can also access and use free software anytime from their computer, smartphone, or tablet at www.tax.ny.gov (search: freefile2017).

The tax preparation software helps reduce filing errors that can delay return processing and refunds. It also prevents valuable credits from being overlooked.

E-filing is safer and more efficient than sending paper returns through the mail. About 92% of all personal income tax returns in New York are electronically prepared and filed. All returns, whether filed electronically or on paper, undergo the same systematic review.

File ahead of the April 17 deadline

The deadline to file 2017 tax returns and pay any tax due is Tuesday, April 17, 2018, rather than the traditional April 15 date. That’s because April 15 falls on a Sunday this year and Emancipation Day—a legal holiday in Washington, D.C.—will be observed on that Monday, which pushes the nation’s filing deadline to April 17. Under the tax law, legal holidays in the District of Columbia affect the filing deadline across the nation. If you can’t file by April 17, apply for an extension of time to file. An extension doesn’t provide more time to pay taxes owed. You must still pay the properly estimated tax you owe by the original due date of the return.