The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today encouraged the nearly 255,000 eligible Capital Region taxpayers to file both their federal and state tax returns for free from the Tax Department’s website: www.tax.ny.gov.

“Close to 255,000 taxpayers in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties 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 Capital Region 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.

Capital Region taxpayers with incomes under $62,000 are also eligible to visit one of 20 free tax assistance sites in the area. 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. 

County breakdown of eligible taxpayers

For more information:

• E-file for free
• Check your refund status