NYC residents can qualify for free tax prep services, officials say. Here’s how.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that New York City is providing free tax preparation services to thousands of eligible residents ahead of Tax Day, aiming to safeguard their hard-earned income from predatory tax preparers.

Under the NYC Free Tax Prep program, individuals and couples without dependents earning up to $68,000 in income last year, as well as families making up to $97,000, qualify for free tax preparation services. This translates to nearly half of New York City's population being eligible, with over 110,000 tax returns completed through the program last year.

According to officials, the program connects filers with IRS-certified volunteer accountants who prepare their taxes at no cost. The initiative aims to prevent residents from paying unnecessary fees that often inflate tax-filing costs.

Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "In a city where a dignified life is already hard enough to afford... a few added dollars can make all the difference." He highlighted how the program helps New Yorkers retain every dollar they've earned and avoid exorbitant fees that proliferate in the tax industry.

The initiative has saved residents an average of $346 per return, amounting to approximately $38 million total. The program operates year-round at over 140 sites across the city, offering in-person, drop-off, and virtual filing services in multiple languages.

In addition, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is intensifying its efforts to monitor unscrupulous tax preparers who engage in deceptive practices. Commissioner Sam Levine vowed to deploy inspectors across New York to ensure compliance with the law, issue warning letters to unscrupulous preparers, and urge residents to ask for their consumer Bill of Rights before paying anyone to file their taxes.

Residents can learn more about the program and file complaints at DCWP's website.

I'm literally so done with how hard it is for people to get their taxes sorted out without getting ripped off by those soulless tax prep companies. Like, 110k+ returns completed through this NYC free tax prep program last year? That's insane! And the average savings per return? $346?! That's like, a whole extra cup of coffee every week or something

I mean, I get it, taxes can be complicated, but come on, Mayor Mamdani is right - a few extra bucks here and there can make all the difference when you're already struggling to make ends meet. It's just so frustrating that people have to navigate this whole messy system in the first place

And don't even get me started on those scammers trying to take advantage of people who are vulnerable or just plain lost . The fact that the DCWP is cracking down and working to protect residents from these shady tax preparers is a huge step in the right direction, though .

This NYC free tax prep program is literally a game-changer for so many people, and I'm just glad it's happening

I think this is a great move by NYC! It makes total sense that they're trying to help people save money on tax preparation fees, especially when you consider how high those costs can be. I mean, who doesn't want to keep more of their hard-earned cash? The fact that over 110k returns were completed last year is a huge success and I'm sure it'll continue to grow now that the program's in full swing . It's also great to see Mayor Mamdani emphasizing the importance of not wanting to add extra stress to people's lives when it comes to tax season .

I just think its really cool that NYC is offering free tax prep services to so many people - like, its a great example of how governments can come together to help out those who need it most . It makes you realize how much money we all lose to unnecessary fees when we try to file our taxes ourselves. And its also super smart of the city to connect people with certified accountants for free - I mean, thats like a win-win situation . Its a great reminder that sometimes, we gotta take care of each other and help those who are struggling just a little bit more .

omg I'm so stoked about this ! it's like NYC is really showing its commitment to helping people out, you know? free tax prep services for thousands of residents? that's just amazing . i mean, think about it, if ppl can save an average of $346 per return, that adds up to so much over the year... and now the city is on top of making sure those predatory tax preparers don't rip ppl off . kudos to mayor mamdani for prioritizing this initiative and commissioner sam levine for keeping an eye on things . it's all about supporting our community, right?

I'm loving this move by NYC ! Free tax prep services are just what we needed back in my day... remember when people used to do their own taxes or go to the library for help? Now, with all these scams out there, it's a huge relief that they're offering free help. I mean, who needs $346 saved on one return? That adds up! And the fact that they've got over 140 sites across the city means more people can access this service without having to hop in their car and drive around. It's just common sense, you know?

I mean, have you seen the lines for these free tax prep services? It's like everyone wants in on this deal . And what's with the income limits? Only people who make up to $97k qualify for "free" help? That's just a fancy way of saying it's only for those who can afford it .

And let's be real, how much actual work are these IRS-certified volunteer accountants doing? I mean, I've seen my grandma do my taxes faster and cheaper than any accountant . And what about the tech involved in this program? Are they using some fancy AI-powered tax prep software or just handing out calculators like candy ?

I'm not saying it's all bad, but this initiative seems like a Band-Aid solution to me. We should be tackling the root causes of predatory tax preparers, not just handing out free services like it's going out of style

I'm loving this initiative by Mayor Mamdani! Free tax prep services for nearly half of NYC's population is a game-changer . It's crazy how many people get scammed by predatory tax preparers, but this program is a total lifesaver . The fact that it's saving residents an average of $346 per return is just mind-blowing! And the fact that they're offering in-person, drop-off, and virtual services in multiple languages? That's just amazing.

I mean, think about it, for so many people, their tax season can be super stressful already, but now they have a safety net to fall back on . And the stats are insane - over 110k returns completed last year! That's like, a whole community of people coming together to take control of their finances .

Kudos to Mayor Mamdani and the DCWP for stepping up and making this happen . It just goes to show that with some good planning and community support, we can really make a difference in people's lives .

I gotta say, this is like a total nod to progressive values. Free tax prep services? That's like, straight outta Bernie Sanders' policy playbook . It's all about protecting the little guy from predatory profiteers and making sure everyone gets their fair share. The fact that it's been implemented in NYC, of all places, is a testament to the city's commitment to social justice and equality.

But let's not forget, this is also a classic case of "government intervention saves the day" . I mean, who better to regulate the tax prep industry than the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we've got your back." The fact that they're taking on those unscrupulous preparers is a major win for transparency and accountability.

One thing that does strike me as weird, though, is how this program could be seen as a form of "social welfare" intervention . I mean, are we really talking about a government program here? Or is it more like... community-led service? Either way, it's hard to argue with the results – 110,000 tax returns completed, and $38 million saved for residents. That's some serious people power in action !

OMG I'm so down w/ this NYC program! Like, who doesn't wanna keep all ther hard-earned cash? It makes total sense 2 provide free tax prep services 2 people whos income is under $97k. I mean, think about it - 50% of NYCs population qualifies, thats a lotta peeps! And get this - last yr, over 110k tax returns were completed thru the program! That's insane! The fact that it saves ppl an avg of $346 per return is just, like, wow. I'm def gonna look into this & maybe even file my taxes 2 thru one of these certified accountants myself. Thanks @MayorMamdani for makin' NYC a lil bit better

I'm not sure how long the city is gonna keep this program going ... if they're making that much money off people, why not just hire some tax experts full-time instead of relying on volunteers? I mean, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that they're helping out people who need it, but it seems like a Band-Aid solution at best . And what about those who can't even find a volunteer accountant in their neighborhood? It feels like there are too many strings attached and not enough real solutions to the problem

I'm loving this initiative! 110k+ tax returns completed last year? That's insane growth! And think about it, over 140 sites across the city, offering in-person, drop-off, and virtual filing services... that's a total game-changer for low-income families. On average, residents are saving $346 per return, totaling $38 million. Now, if we consider the average income of NYC residents is around $59k (according to data from 2020), this means millions of dollars in extra cash for those who need it most.

According to a study by the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) in 2022, the median tax preparation fee was $350 for individual returns and $500 for joint returns... meanwhile, our NYC program is saving residents half that amount on average! And don't even get me started on the benefits for families with dependents - this program truly hits the nail on the head.

So NYC is finally doing something about tax season stress... like it's a thing everyone's worried about ... I mean, $68,000 income to qualify for free tax prep? That's just a starting point, right? Anyone making less than that should be worried... What's the real motive behind this program, do you think? Is it just about helping people or is there some underlying agenda to control our finances?

I'm all for this initiative . I mean, who doesn't want to save a few hundred bucks on tax preparation? But seriously, it's crazy how many people are still getting ripped off by those shady tax preparers. $346 per return is no joke . And the fact that over 140 sites across the city offer virtual filing services in multiple languages is amazing . I think this program is a game-changer for low-income households, and it's about time we started seeing some real change .

I was thinking about how many of my friends and family members struggle to make ends meet, just to get their taxes done without breaking the bank . It's like, what's the point of even having a system if you're just gonna nickel-and-dime people for something they need? This program is all about putting those residents first and making sure they don't have to choose between paying bills or paying taxes .

And can we talk about how awesome it is that the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is cracking down on unscrupulous tax preparers? It's so important for people to know their rights and be protected from scams like this. This program is just one step in the right direction .

Ugh , I'm so done with tax season already, but this is actually kinda cool ! Like, seriously though, who has time or patience for all that stress & hassle? It's great that NYC is stepping up to help out their residents with free tax prep, especially since those predatory tax guys are just taking advantage of people's ignorance . 110k+ tax returns done last year? That's huge! And the fact that it's saving people an average of $346 per return is like... woah . I mean, I'm no expert or anything, but this seems like a solid move to me . Good on NYC for looking out for their own