The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today encouraged the nearly 145,000 eligible taxpayers in Onondaga County to file both their federal and state tax returns for free from the Tax Department’s website: www.tax.ny.gov.

“Close to 145,000 taxpayers in Onondaga 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 Onondaga 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 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.

Onondaga County taxpayers with incomes under $62,000 are also eligible to visit one these 5 free tax assistance sites in the area:

• Catholic Charities
  264 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse 13202
  
  
• Liverpool Public Library
  310 Tulip Street, Liverpool 13088
  
  
• North Onondaga County Public Library at Brewerton
  5440 Bennett Street, Brewerton 13029
  
  
• North Onondaga County Public Library at Cicero
  8686 Knowledge Lane, Suite 2, Cicero 13039
   
• Southwest Community Center
  401 South Avenue, Syracuse 13204
   
• SUNY Education Opportunity Center
  100 New Street, Syracuse 13202 

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