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GetCTC Portal Relaunched! If you earned less than $25,100 filing jointly, less than $18,800 if filing as head-of-household, or less than $12,550 if filing as single, you can file quickly on your own to claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC) at GetCTC.org/nyc. GetCTC portal is best for families who did not earn income in 2021. If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, file with NYC Free Tax Prep, see options below, to claim the CTC and other valuable credits!

File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep

Changes to tax credits mean more money for you when you file.

We'll help you get your money.

If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, file for FREE with an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer.

Review checklist of documents you need to file your taxes.

TAX DAY! The deadline to file a tax return for your 2021 taxes was April 18, 2022. However, NYC Free Tax Prep preparers provide assistance all year round. If you missed the April 18 deadline or applied for a filing extension, you can still use NYC Free Tax Prep to file your return or have questions answered. It's important to understand that an extension only applies to filing and not paying any taxes that are due. If your payment is received after the deadline, fines and fees may apply.

If you think you will owe taxes, it is a good idea to make an estimated payment.
If you don't owe taxes, you will not be penalized for filing late if you request an extension. For example, if your income is below the 2021 requirement to file ($12,550 for single filers and $25,100 for joint filers) or if you typically get a refund and do not owe, you will not be penalized.

NYC Free Tax Prep Service Options

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In-Person Tax Prep and Drop-off Service

In-Person Tax Prep: Knowledgeable IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers will sit down with you to complete an accurate tax return. Sessions take a minimum of 30 minutes.

Drop-off Service: You can drop off your tax documents and pick up the completed return later.

Open map to find your nearest NYC Free Tax Prep site.

Download list of sites (in PDF).

Online Tax Prep Services

GetYourRefund.org is a virtual program that connects filers to NYC Free Tax Prep providers to have their return completed for them. Steps:

Visit getyourrefund.org/nyc
Sign into your account.
Submit tax documents using your smartphone, tablet, or computer equipped with a camera.
After all necessary documentation is submitted, an IRS-certified VITA/TCE preparer will verify your tax information and contact you.
After speaking with a quality reviewer over the phone and signing the final version of your return, your quality reviewer will send your return to the IRS.

Virtual Tax Prep is a safe and reliable online tax prep service. You must have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; and the ability to download secure video conference software. An IRS certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparer will:

help you file your 2021 tax return during a 60-90 minute virtual call;
use a secure digital system to manage your tax documents;
answer your tax questions.

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 2020 adjusted gross income (AGI) or self-select PIN.

List of Virtual Tax Prep and Assisted Self-Preparation Providers

Center for Family Life
Hours of Operation: Wednesday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.;Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Language(s): English, Spanish, Chinese-Mandarin
Appointment Details: Call 929-480-7175
Website: centerforfamilylife.org
Services Offered: Assisted Self-Preparation

Chhaya CDC
Hours of Operation: Tuesday and Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Language(s): English and Spanish
Website: chhayacdc.org/tax
Services Offered: Virtual Tax Prep

Fedcap/Single Stop
Hours of Operation: Monday and Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Language(s): English and Spanish
Website: singlestop.org
Services Offered: Virtual Tax Prep

Food Bank
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Language(s): English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese-Mandarin, and Russian
Appointment Details: Call 646-981-6111
Website: foodbanknyc.org/taxhelp/
Services Offered: Virtual Tax Prep and Assisted Self-Preparation

Grow Brooklyn
Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Language(s): English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese-Cantonese, and Haitian Creole
Website: growbrooklyn.org/appointments
Services Offered: Virtual Tax Prep

Met Council
Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Language(s): English, Spanish, and Russian
Website: metcouncil.org/coronavirus
Services Offered: Virtual Tax Prep

Project Hospitality
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Language(s): English and Spanish
Website: projecthospitality.org
Services Offered: Virtual Tax Prep

Valuable Tax Credits

Claiming even one of these tax credits could return thousands of dollars to you

Child Tax Credit (CTC). Parents and caregivers with children younger than 18 can get up to $3,000 or $3,600 per child depending on the child’s age. Filers do not need to have had income to claim the credit . Families who got advance payments in 2021, must file in 2022 to get the rest of their money. This includes families that signed up online using the IRS Non-filer Portal or GetCTC.org. Only the children being claimed need to have Social Security Numbers (SSN); the filer does not need a SSN and can file using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). UPDATE: MAY 2022. If you earned less than $25,100 filing jointly, less than $18,800 if filing as head-of-household, or less than $12,550 if filing as single, you can file quickly on your own to claim the Child Tax Credit at GetCTC.org/nyc. GetCTC portal is best for families who did not earn income in 2021.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is available to working families and individuals with low and moderate incomes. It is now available to filers as young as 19 to 65+ without children, as well as families. The federal credit can be worth up to $6,728 depending on the number of qualifying children.

Child and Dependent Care Credit. Working families who pay for childcare for children under 13 or the care of dependent adults can get back up to $4,000 in care expenses for one qualifying person and up to $8,000 for two or more people.

Learn more about tax credits.

Additional Information

FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep and ITIN

Read FAQs about NYC Free Tax Prep.

Read FAQs about Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

The IRS provides tax filers with many helpful resources. Learn more at irs.gov.

Consumer Bill of Rights

You have rights when using a tax preparer. Learn more.

Be a Volunteer Preparer

Become a volunteer preparer this tax season. You can have a real impact on New Yorkers’ lives. Learn how you can make a difference.

NYC Annual Tax Season Initiative

Since 2002, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)— has coordinated the City’s Annual Tax Season Initiative. Learn more about our campaign, our Tax Coalition Members, and how you can be a community partner.

Updated 05/2022