E-file Media Center

Welcome to the E-file Media Center. If you’re looking for user-friendly content to share with your audience about free filing resources and e-filing—whether your audience includes media consumers, subscribers, or constituents—you’re in the right place.

You’ll find an array of content from audio to video and print to web to help you serve your audience better. You’re free to post, share, embed, and promote this content on your various channels and we’d appreciate it if you do!

We will update the content regularly throughout the tax filing season so check back often for new material. You can contact the Tax Department Press Office with questions at 518-457-7377.

Resources

Free filing options

Free File

Millions of New York State taxpayers are eligible to file both their federal and state income tax returns for free, yet only a small percentage take advantage of the free software. You may be able to electronically prepare and file your income tax returns for free if:

your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) is $41,000 or less regardless of age, or
you are 57 years old or younger with a federal adjusted gross income (AGI) of $60,000 or less, or
your federal AGI was $73,000 or less and you served as Active Duty Military (including Reservists and National Guard).

To make sure you aren’t charged a fee, you must use our website to access Free File software for both your federal and state returns. To learn more, see Free File your income tax return.

New York State free tax assistance sites

If your income in 2022 was $73,000 or less, you qualify to receive free virtual tax assistance from the department. We can help you electronically prepare and file your 2022 federal and state income tax returns at no cost.

During a pre-scheduled virtual webinar session using WebEx or Zoom, our department representatives will guide you through free tax preparation software, step-by-step, as you complete and file your own tax return. Our online tax software is a safe and secure way to file. It’s quick and easy!

To learn more, see Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP).

IRS and AARP Vita Locations

If your income is $55,000 or less, certified IRS volunteers will prepare both federal and state returns with you at no cost. AARP volunteers are also available to assist you at no charge. To locate volunteers near you, visit the IRS VITA information page at Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers.

Videos

The Tax Department offers a variety of videos covering filing tips, guarding against fraud and identity theft, and more. These videos make for great social media and website content. You can access additional video content at NYS Tax Department Free File playlist.

Free File videos

Videos

Print material

Posters can be a great way to draw attention at your offices, at events, or even in publications to the ease of e-filing through the Tax Department website. Social media graphics can easily be shared across your channels as well.

Form TP-56, Prepare and file your income tax returns for FREE!

Newsletter and website content

Tax filing tips

Prepare and file your return electronically. E-filed returns are processed more quickly than paper returns and have fewer errors. E-filing is also safer and more efficient than sending paper returns through the mail.

If you use a paid preparer or use software to prepare your return, you must provide driver license information for you and your spouse. This is just another way we guard against fraud and prevent issuing erroneous refunds.

Be sure to provide correct and complete social security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. Even a minor error like this can prevent processing your return quickly and delay your refund.

Report estimated tax payments accurately. There is valuable information on our website, tax.ny.gov. You can create an online services account to pay electronically, check your balances, and review your payment history. If you’re still unsure it’s done correctly, contact us and we’ll help.

Attach all required forms and schedules, including Form IT-2 for W2 information. This is only important for paper filers. We encourage you to make the switch to filing electronically as the software handles this all for you. However, if you do decide to continue filing on paper, be sure to include all the necessary paperwork to support your filing.

Include supporting documentation to support any claims for credits. This is only important for paper filers. We encourage you to make the switch to filing electronically as the software handles this all for you. However, if you do decide to continue filing on paper, be sure to include all the necessary paperwork to support your claims for credits and deductions.

If you’re doing your own math, double check your calculations. Again, this is mostly for people filing on paper. The e-file software available for free on our website, or commercial filing software does the math for you. We encourage you to do this electronically to avoid errors and to speed up the issuance of any refund you may be owed.

Choose direct deposit as your refund method. To do this, simply check direct deposit on your tax return, then be sure to enter your correct bank account and routing numbers. When you combine the power of e-file and direct deposit you can receive your New York State tax refund up to two weeks sooner than if you filed paper and requested a check be mailed to you.

If you forgo the simplicity and convenience of direct deposit, make sure your mailing address is correct when requesting a refund check by mail. Any error can delay you receiving your refund.

If you’re filing an amended return:
- file a complete return (include all forms you submitted originally, even if you made no changes),
- we recommend you e-file your return (electronic returns are more accurate), and
- pay your balance due (any unpaid balance you have past the original due date will continue to accrue penalties and interest). (Use our Penalty and Interest Calculator to determine your late filing and payment penalties and interest.)