The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today highlighted last-minute filing resources for taxpayers who’ve yet to submit their personal income tax returns. The deadline to file and pay any taxes owed is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Monday, April 15.

“The Tax Department website is full of valuable resources to help taxpayers file an accurate and on-time return by the April 15 deadline,” said New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “Meet your tax obligations in the easiest way possible by using resources available on the Tax Department website at www.tax.ny.gov.”

Many New Yorkers qualify to e-file their state and federal taxes for free with the Direct File and Free File programs:

Direct File

New York State and the IRS have developed a new program that allows eligible New Yorkers to e-file their federal and state personal income tax returns for free. The Direct File pilot program is currently open to New Yorkers reporting certain types of income and claiming certain credits and adjustments.

Free File

Taxpayers may also be eligible to use Free File software to e-file their federal and state income tax returns—at no cost. To avoid fees, carefully review eligibility criteria for each software provider and access Free File software directly from the Tax Department’s website at www.tax.ny.gov (search: Free File).

If you do not qualify to use one of New York’s Free File software providers, you still have choices. See Other e-file options on the Tax Department website to learn more.

File and pay what you can

Taxpayers who can’t pay what they owe by the due date are encouraged to submit a completed tax return by the April 15 deadline to avoid penalties, pay what they can afford to help reduce penalty and interest, and request an Installment Payment Agreement.

An Instalment Payment Agreement enables qualifying taxpayers to make monthly payments toward an unpaid tax balance. The fastest and easiest way to request an Instalment Payment Agreement is through an Online Services account with the New York State Tax Department.

Other payment options are available on the Tax Department website to make an income tax return payment when you file your tax return.

Get your questions answered

The most efficient way to obtain filing guidance and information, including answers to common questions, is to visit the Tax Department’s website, www.tax.ny.gov and Filing season resource center.

Access your Online Services account

Online Services is the fastest, most convenient way to do business with the Tax Department. With an Online Services account, you can make a payment, respond to a letter from the department, and more—anytime, anywhere. If you don’t already have an account, it’s easy to create one!

Need more time to file?

Taxpayers can apply for an automatic extension of time to file if they’re unable to file a completed income tax return by the April 15 deadline. An extension will provide more time to prepare and file a return, but not more time to pay any tax owed. Taxpayers must make full payment of the properly estimated tax balance owed when requesting an extension of time to file.