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,” said New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone. “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 simple filing process one step at a time.

Taxpayers can only be sure that they won’t be charged unexpected fees if they use the software options available from our 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 Avenue, Buffalo 14220
  
  
• Erie County Public Library
  One Lafayette Square, Buffalo 14202
  
  
• Kenilworth Branch
  318 Montrose Avenue, Tonawanda 14221
  
  
• Lackawanna Public Library
  560 Ridge Road, Lackawanna 14218
  
  
• West Seneca Public Library
  1300 Union Road, West Seneca 14224

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