Every year, millions of dollars in tax refunds go unclaimed by New York City residents who either don’t file or pay unnecessary fees to commercial tax preparers. If your household income is under a certain threshold, you can get your taxes prepared and filed for free through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and NYC’s own free filing services. This guide explains how to access free tax prep in all five boroughs.
What Is VITA?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an IRS-sponsored initiative that provides free federal and state tax preparation to households earning below a certain income threshold. Trained and IRS-certified volunteers prepare your return at no charge. In NYC, VITA is operated through a network of nonprofit organizations, community centers, libraries, and city agencies.
VITA is not just for simple returns. Volunteers can handle W-2 income, self-employment income (in many cases), rental income, credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit, and more.
Who Qualifies for Free Tax Prep in NYC?
NYC’s free tax preparation services are generally available to households earning up to $90,000 per year (this threshold may vary by site — confirm when you make your appointment). This covers the majority of NYC working families and individuals.
Free filing is available for all tax filing statuses — single, married filing jointly, head of household — and for both simple and more complex returns depending on the site.
How to Find a Free Tax Prep Site in NYC
NYC Free Tax Prep (Primary Resource)
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) coordinates NYC’s free tax prep network — the largest city-run free tax prep program in the country. Find sites, hours, and appointment information at:
- Website: nyc.gov/freetaxprep
- Phone: 311 — ask for “free tax preparation”
- Text: Text “TAXES” to 898-211
Sites include walk-in locations, appointment-based locations, and virtual (online) filing assistance. The program typically runs from late January through mid-April (tax season), with some sites offering year-round filing assistance for prior-year returns.
IRS VITA Site Locator
Find additional VITA sites nationally at irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or by calling the IRS at 1-800-906-9887.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax preparation for people 50 and older (though all ages are welcome at most sites). Find NYC locations at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-687-2277.
What to Bring to Your Tax Prep Appointment
- Photo ID for yourself (and spouse if filing jointly)
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters for all household members being claimed
- All W-2 forms from every employer (you should receive these by January 31)
- 1099 forms if you have freelance, gig, investment, or other non-employee income
- 1095-A form if you received health insurance through NY State of Health marketplace
- Records of any other income (rental income, unemployment, Social Security)
- Last year’s tax return if available (helps the preparer)
- Bank account information (routing and account numbers) for direct deposit of your refund
- Receipts for deductible expenses if you itemize (childcare costs, student loan interest, etc.)
The Earned Income Tax Credit: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the largest anti-poverty programs in the United States — but it only works if you file. Workers with low to moderate income who file a tax return can receive a refundable credit worth thousands of dollars depending on income and family size.
New York State and New York City also have their own EITC programs that add additional credits on top of the federal amount. Together, the federal, state, and city EITC can add up to a significant refund for eligible filers — often the largest single payment a low-income household receives in a year.
EITC eligibility requires earned income (wages, self-employment) and meeting income limits that vary by family size. A free VITA preparer will calculate and claim all EITC credits you are entitled to automatically.
Filing If You Don’t Have a Social Security Number
If you do not have a Social Security Number, you may still be required to file taxes if you earned income in the U.S. You can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS to file. Some VITA sites can help with ITIN applications. Filing taxes even without legal status can be beneficial — it creates a record of your presence and contributions, which some immigration attorneys recommend.
Online Free Filing Options
If you prefer to file yourself:
- IRS Free File: Free federal return preparation for those with income below a certain threshold — irs.gov/freefile
- NYC Free Tax Prep Virtual: Virtual preparation with a VITA volunteer — find through nyc.gov/freetaxprep
- GetYourRefund.org: Upload your documents online and a VITA volunteer prepares your return remotely
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free tax prep really free — no hidden fees?
Yes. VITA and NYC Free Tax Prep sites charge absolutely nothing for preparation and filing. There are no fees for e-filing, no fees for direct deposit setup, and no charges for prior-year returns. If a site asks you for payment, it is not a legitimate VITA/NYC free tax prep site.
Can free tax prep handle self-employment income?
Many VITA sites can handle basic Schedule C self-employment income — gig work, freelancing, small business income. Call ahead or check the site’s description to confirm it handles your type of return. Some sites specialize in more complex returns.
I haven’t filed in several years. Can VITA help me catch up?
Yes. Prior-year returns can often be prepared at VITA sites, and some NYC sites offer year-round filing assistance specifically for back-year returns. You may be owed refunds for prior years — the IRS generally allows refund claims for returns filed within three years of the original due date.
I received a letter from the IRS. Can VITA help me respond?
VITA sites focus on tax preparation, not typically on IRS audit response or correspondence. For IRS notices and disputes, contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service at 1-877-777-4778 (a free IRS resource for taxpayers with problems) or Legal Aid Society’s tax unit.
