With April in full bloom, we’re less than a week away from Tax Day, the day when all New Yorkers (and Americans) must file their taxes by.
We walk you through all the essential information you need to know before next week, including how to file, your options, and more for 2025.
When is the last day to file taxes in New York?
The deadline to file your taxes in New York is Tuesday, April 15th, 2025!
How to file your taxes in New York
There are a few options for filing your taxes in New York:
- You can do so directly on the IRS website with “Direct File” as New York is one of the states involved in the new pilot program (see more info. below, mainly for federal taxes but can also include state if you qualify)
- You can use third party programs like TurboTax, H&R Block and more (for both federal and state)
- You can do so through the New York State website (just for state)
How to file your taxes for free
If you have a Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $84,000 or less you can qualify for a free federal tax return via Free File, plus free state tax preparation and filing with some of their select partners.
Plus, the IRS has a new program called Direct File that allows certain individuals across 12 states (New York included) to file taxes online for free directly with the IRS. If your 2024 wages were less than $200,000—or $250,000 if you’re filing a joint return, you can qualify for a free federal tax return, plus free state tax preparation and filing with some of their select partners.
The program piloted last year to great success, this year expanding eligibility and covering more tax credits and different types of income.
If you have an AGI higher than $79,000, you can still file for free with the IRS, it will just have to be using Fillable Forms. Fillable Forms still allow for free federal tax filing, but doesn’t come with tax guidance or state tax preparation.
What happens if I miss the tax deadline?
If you miss the deadline, the usual penalty is 5% of the tax owed for each month your return is late, up to a maximum of 25% of the unpaid amount. If you file your return but don’t pay the taxes you owe—or if you get an extension but still don’t pay—a smaller penalty of 0.5% per month applies. See more on bills, penalties, and interest charges on the IRS website here.
How to apply for an extension
If you are unable to finish your taxes by the 15th, you can submit a request for an extension directly to the IRS. If approved, you will have until October 15 to complete them.
You may automatically be eligible for an extension if you meet certain criteria like:
- being in a federally declared disaster area
- in the military stationed abroad or serving in a combat zone, or
- are a citizen or resident alien living outside the U.S., according to the IRS.
Still, please note that even if you are granted a time extension to file, you must still pay any owed taxes by the April deadline. IE: you should still estimate and pay taxes to avoid penalties, even if you are unable to fully file in time. Penalties can include a “failure-to-file penalty” that is typically “five percent of the tax owed for each month, or part of a month that your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%,” according to the IRS.
How to track your refund & when you can expect to receive it
The IRS states it issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. If you mailed your return instead of filing online, it could take over a month.
You can check the “Where’s My Refund?” page to track the up-to-date status of your refunds.