ALBANY, NY – Today Mayor Gerald D. Jennings touted the benefits of Free File, an innovative partnership between the government and private tax software companies that can help many New York State residents file their tax returns quickly, easily, and for free.

Through the IRS Free File Alliance, numerous private companies provide a choice of industry-leading software to millions of lower and moderate income Americans so that they can prepare and file their federal income taxes for free. New York is one of only 22 states that also offers a state Free File program, mirrored on the federal effort, so that residents can easily and accurately complete both their federal and state taxes.

“Free File is an outstanding example of what can happen when the government and the private sector work together,” said Mayor Jennings. “By using Free File, people can be sure that they have identified and claimed all of the tax credits and deductions that they deserve, especially the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can put much-needed money back in the pockets of local families. In addition, Free File makes electronic tax filing easy, which saves money, reduces errors, and speeds up refunds. As families and governments alike continue looking for ways to cut costs and rein in their expenses, that’s a win-win.”

Because it encourages online tax filing, Free File has saved the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more than $104.8 million in processing costs, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In Free File states like New York, state governments also see these cost-saving benefits.

New York Free File is a partnership between the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and multiple private software companies. In general, taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $57,000 or less qualify to file their federal and state taxes with their choice of software through the Free File program.
 
“Free File gives millions of taxpayers nationwide – 70 percent of all filers – a choice of using one of many trusted tax software products to prepare their tax return for free,” said David Macklin from the Computer & Communications Industry Association. “These are the same products are sold in stores or on the web. But when services are donated through Free File, individuals can prepare and submit their taxes at no cost to them or the government.”  

New York Free File services are available online 24/7. Eligible taxpayers can use Free File anywhere they feel comfortable using the internet; there is nothing to download or buy. To get started, taxpayers should gather their tax documents, visit www.freefile.irs.gov or www.tax.ny.gov, and click on the Free File link.

“Intuit donates its TurboTax® product to millions of people nationwide through Free File because we believe that taxpayers benefit when they are fully engaged in preparing their own returns,” said Brian Donohue, who represents the Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation, in which supports the Free File program. “Thanks to the support of champions like Mayor Jennings, taxpayers are able to learn more about their finances, easily and privately prepare their taxes, and use Free File to save money by filing for free.”

Learn about Free File at www.taxprephelp.org. To find out more and file your taxes for free, visit www.freefile.irs.gov or www.tax.ny.gov and click on the Free File link.