New York State Taxpayer Advocate Margaret Neri today highlighted myriad free resources and services to simplify tax filing for New Yorkers.

Eligible taxpayers can, for example, electronically prepare and file their returns for free using software available at the Tax Department’s website. In addition, all filers can track their refund online at no cost and communicate directly with the Tax Department.
 
“Tax season doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive,” said New York State Taxpayer Advocate Margaret Neri. “Free online offerings and services can streamline the filing process and provide answers to any follow-up questions at a time convenient to you.”

Free filing options available

Taxpayers with adjusted gross household incomes of $66,000 or less in 2018 may use free, user-friendly software at www.tax.ny.gov to electronically prepare and file both their state and federal tax returns. Taxpayers can search Free File on the Tax Department website to be directed to the tax preparation software. The software can reduce filing errors that delay return processing and refunds, and prevent valuable credits from being overlooked.

Check your refund status

Taxpayers can quickly view the status of their New York State tax refund anytime by using the Check your Refund tool on the Tax Department website: www.tax.ny.gov. Updated daily, it’s the fastest and most convenient way to know when to expect your refund. It provides the same information available to our phone representatives—without the wait!

You can also find out when your refund will be issued by signing up for Tax Department email alerts. Visit the Tax Department homepage at www.tax.ny.gov and select subscribe at the bottom of the page.

Communicate with the Tax Department

If you receive a letter asking for documentation to support entries on your return, it doesn't mean that you did anything wrong. It's one of several steps we take to ensure that returns and refunds claimed are accurate. Our goal is to stop questionable returns and refund claims, not to delay refunds owed.

The best way to communicate with the Tax Department is to request electronic communications for both Bills and Related Notices and Other Notifications as follows:

1. Log in to your current Online Services account or create one.
2. Select your name in the upper-right corner of your Account Summary homepage.
3. Select Preferences, then select Electronic communications from the drop-down menu.
4. On the Electronic Communications page, check the boxes next to Bills and Related Notices and Other Notifications.

When you select both options, we'll email you when we issue your refund and alert you to any future correspondence.

To reply to a letter or notice securely, you would simply log in to your Online Services account and use our Respond to Department Notice online service. It’s the easiest and fastest way to provide the Tax Department with additional information.

To learn more, view our Respond to a Department Notice and Respond to a Department Bill demos.