Mayor Mamdani joined the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth on Monday to promote the NYC Free Tax Prep program as the 2026 tax season begins, city officials said.
The initiative offers free in-person and virtual tax preparation services for residents who live or work in the city and earn up to $97,000 as a family or $68,000 as an individual or couple without dependents, officials said. Services are available now at more than 140 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites across the five boroughs, including at NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth locations.
“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops or pay outrageous fees just to file their taxes,” Mamdani said at the event. “Through NYC Free Tax Prep, our administration is working across agencies to deliver exactly that — helping New Yorkers file for free, receive the tax refunds they’re owed, and avoid hidden fees and tax scams.”
The city is pairing the free filing program with enhanced enforcement against deceptive paid tax preparers, including compliance sweeps and notices warning of the city’s ban on illegal overcharging and hidden fees, officials said.
DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine said the effort is aimed at ensuring preparers adhere to city consumer protections and that filers receive all credits and refunds for which they qualify. “This tax season, DCWP is ramping up efforts to protect New Yorkers from sketchy tax scams,” Levine said.
NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer Nichola Davis, MD, MS, said the partnership has expanded to 15 locations since 2018 and helps reduce financial stress that can affect health. “By helping our patients secure free filing and tax credits, we are reducing some of the financial stress that often stands in the way of good health,” Davis said.
Council Member Harvey Epstein, chair of the City Council Consumer and Worker Protection Committee, said free tax assistance can have a “meaningful impact” on working families.
Volunteer preparers also assist filers with questions about student loan debt and other financial matters. Residents can find service locations and make appointments through nyc.gov/TaxPrep or by calling 311, city officials said.
The Internal Revenue Service began accepting returns on Jan. 26 and will continue through April 15, though many NYC Free Tax Prep sites remain open beyond that period to help late filers and those with complex filing needs.
