• e-File your return and pay electronically.
• Receive your refund using direct deposit, debit card or check.

Avoid the most common filing errors

1. Verify your identification number on your return. This is the number issued by the Social Security Administration or Internal Revenue Service. (If the identification number on your W-2 statement is wrong, contact your employer to obtain a corrected W-2 statement.)
2. Indicate on the return if you maintained living quarters New York City.
3. Include the total amount of tax withheld during the year. Add all IT-2 Summary of W-2 statements, completed from each W-2 Federal Wage Tax Statement you received.
4. Include New York city and Yonkers tax if required.
5. Sign the paper return -- both spouses must sign a joint return.
6. File your return or extension request on or before the due date.
7. Choose the appropriate mailing address.

For specific filing instructions, refer to the instructions of the return that you file:  Full-year resident forms, Part-year resident forms or Nonresident forms.

Lost your federal W-2, Wage and Tax Statement?

• Current year - Contact your employer's payroll office to request a copy. If you cannot obtain the W-2, but have your final payroll check stub for the tax year, use this information to fill out Form IT-2102.6, Certificate of Income Tax Withheld.
• Previous year - Contact the Internal Revenue Service or Social Security Administration.

Video: Avoiding Common Income Tax Filing Errors