Get Ready for Income Tax Filing Season: Time to Free File

Tax Season Opens January 26, 2026

Take Advantage of Free Filing Resources at www.tax.ny.gov

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 23, 2026

For media inquiries only, contact: Ryan Cleveland, 518-457-7377

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced that Monday, January 26, 2026, is the start of the 2025 income tax filing season. This is when the Tax Department and the IRS will begin accepting and processing income tax returns. The deadline to file returns and pay any tax owed (or request an extension of time to file) is midnight on April 15, 2026.

Many New Yorkers are eligible to file their federal and New York State returns at no cost through the Tax Department website using Free File. Hundreds of thousands of New York State taxpayers take advantage of this truly free service each year, saving them on average $269 in tax preparation fees.

“I encourage all eligible taxpayers to take advantage of Free File – a secure, efficient, and free way to file,” said New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “To save on tax preparation costs, visit the New York State Tax Department website for a truly free filing experience for those who qualify.”

Free File information is available in multiple languages on the Tax Department’s website, www.tax.ny.gov.

For information on gathering key documents to prepare and file income tax returns, the benefits of choosing direct deposit, and information on income tax credits, visit the Tax Department’s Income tax filing season resource center.