One Day Left to File Your 2025 Taxes! DCWP Reminds New Yorkers About Free Tax Preparation Services Ahead of Tax Day
April 14, 2026
In-person and Virtual Tax Prep Services Are Available in Various Languages Across the City at More Than 140 Sites Across All Five Boroughs
NEW YORK, NY – Tax Day is tomorrow! The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) reminds eligible New Yorkers to file their 2025 taxes using DCWP’s NYC Free Tax Prep program before annual returns are due on Wednesday, April 15. This year, the program is projected to save New Yorkers tens of millions of dollars while processing more than 100,000 tax returns. Half of all New Yorkers are eligible for this program, including anyone who lives or works in New York City and who earns $97,000 or less annually and files with dependents, or those who earn $68,000 or less annually and file as an individual or couple without a dependent.
“All Tax Season long, DCWP has used a variety of creative tactics—in-person canvassing, social media, community events—to urge New Yorkers to use this free city program and claim their full refund for free,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “With virtual and drop-off options available, NYC Free Tax Prep will save you time and money. Our trusted and professional volunteer preparers will help you file quickly and securely, while ensuring you don’t miss out on any valuable credits.”
“For the last 23 years, Grow Brooklyn has provided free, professional, accurate tax filing with partner-organizations around the City! Today, we are urging everyone who qualifies to file your taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep immediately!” said Grow Brooklyn Executive Director Makeela Brathwaite. “There's only one day left to file, and our dedicated team is working hard to ensure appointment holders meet the deadline and claim every dollar they deserve! If you are expecting a refund, we can still file help you file after the April 15th deadline. The time is now... claim every refund dollar to which you are entitled!”
“Our Bronx neighbors can continue to work with one of our trusted tax professionals, in-person or virtually, to file their taxes and maximize their returns,” said BronxWorks CEO Eileen Torres. “BronxWorks is proud to have already served thousands of New Yorkers so far this year and we will continue to provide this free service to our community through the last day of the tax season.”
“There’s still one more day to file your taxes and claim what you’re entitled to.” said Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s Assistant Director of Support Services Maya Doyle. “At MMCC, we see every day how many people leave money on the table, and with free, trusted support through NYC Free Tax Prep, there’s no reason to miss out.”
NYC Free Tax Prep Outreach
Since launching this year’s services alongside Mayor Mamdani in January, DCWP’s campaign to connect more New Yorkers with Free Tax Prep has included paid canvassing, organic content, and participation in more than 340 community event to disseminate information and resources, reaching nearly 10,000 attendees.
Last month, DCWP partnered with the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) and BronxWorks, a Free Tax Prep provider, to create a “Get Ready With Me To Do My Taxes” video. The agency also held a Free Tax Prep-focused new media roundtable with diverse content creators to produce multimedia content.
Social media highlights: @Alexonthemic on Instagram, @Mrfingaz on Instagram, @OverGenPoverty on Instagram
Last year, over 110,000 returns were completed through NYC Free Tax Prep, saving New Yorkers an average of $346 in tax preparation fees per return and approximately $38.2 million citywide.
NYC Free Tax Prep services include:
- In-Person Tax Preparation: At in-person tax prep sites, knowledgeable Internal Revenue Service (IRS) certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparers help filers complete an accurate tax return. More than 140 sites across all 5 boroughs will be open throughout the season.
- Drop-Off Service: With drop-off service, filers can drop off their tax documents and pick up the completed return later.
- Virtual Tax Preparation: Virtual Tax Preparation is an online service where an IRS-certified VITA or TCE volunteer preparer will video conference with filers to help prepare their tax return using a secure digital system. Filers can submit photos or scans of tax documents to the preparer, confirm their identity, and complete their return by video call with a preparer. Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; and the ability to download secure video conference software.
- Assisted Self-Preparation: Assisted Self-Preparation allows filers to complete their tax return online on their own, and an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer will be available by phone or email to answer questions. Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; an email address; and their 2024 adjusted gross income or self-select PIN.
The IRS began accepting tax returns on January 26, 2026, with tax season running through April 15, 2026. Many NYC Free Tax Prep sites remain open year-round to assist late filers, help with prior-year returns, and support small business owners and self-employed filers with quarterly and annual tax filing requirements. If you missed the April 15th deadline, you can still visit an NYC Free Tax Prep site to complete your taxes and claim valuable tax credits.
This year, taxpayers face fewer no-cost filing options following the elimination of the IRS Direct File program, making access to trusted and accurate free tax assistance more critical than ever. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has also begun phasing out paper checks for tax refunds and most other federal payments, meaning taxpayers who do not choose direct deposit may face significant delays receiving their refund.
Because of these changes, it is now important than ever for New Yorkers to have a safe and affordable bank account, such as a NYC SafeStart Account, the City’s FREE savings account with an ATM card, no overdraft fees, and no monthly fees with a minimum balance of just $25, or in some cases even less. Visit nyc.gov/SafeStart to learn more about this and other banking options or call 311 and ask about the NYC SafeStart Account. Some banks and credit unions also accept IDNYC as a primary form of identification.
NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed New Yorkers
NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed Filers provides free tax preparation services tailored to the needs of gig workers, freelancers and small business owners who often face barriers to filing taxes and managing financial record keeping. In addition to providing annual and quarterly estimated tax filling preparation assistance, workshops and one-on-one consultations help the growing number of New Yorkers who perform gig and freelance work to learn the basics of tax filing and record keeping best practices as self-employed filers all year round.
To be eligible for tax preparation services for self-employed filers, New Yorkers must have business expenses of $250,000 or below. New Yorkers can find a site with these specially trained tax preparers by selecting “Self-Employed/Schedule C Assistance” on the NYC Free Tax Prep Map Site Finder.
Paid Tax Preparers
Consumers should also be on alert for predatory tax preparers that overcharge, charge hidden fees, or file their return without permission. Beware of preparers promising a “rapid refund” or “fast cash” that hide the fact that a Refund Anticipation Loan is a loan. Earlier this year, DCWP conducted a sweep of 500 paid tax preparers and issued compliance notices to 278 tax preparers across the city warning them to adhere to New York City consumer protection laws that ban overcharging or charging hidden fees.
The City encourages eligible filers to file for free with NYC Free Tax Prep, but consumers who use a paid tax preparer should ask the preparer for the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (additional languages available) and read it carefully before having their taxes prepared.
New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep to choose the best filing option for them and find the most convenient location if choosing in-person or drop-off tax prep. A checklist of what documents New Yorkers need to bring with them to file and multilingual information about the services are available at nyc.gov/TaxPrep. In-person services are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian-Creole, Hebrew, Korean, Russian, Urdu and others to come, plus all sites can accommodate additional language needs with the IRS’ over-the-phone translation services. Frequently Asked Questions about NYC Free Tax Prep are available on DCWP’s website. Visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep to stay up to date and join the #FreeTaxPrep conversation on DCWP’s social media channels.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Stephany Vasquez Sanchez
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov