Page 14 - The Indian EYE 021326

North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

14 FEBRUARY 13, 2026
Mayor Mamdani, City Agencies

Launch Free Tax Prep Services for 2026

OUR BUREAU listic approach to care. “Access to
high-quality care must also include
New York, NY
access to the financial resources
ayor Zohran Mamdani that support healthier lives,” she
on Thursday joined the said, encouraging eligible residents
MDepartment of Consum- to schedule appointments and claim
er and Worker Protection (DCWP), the refunds and credits they have
NYC Health + Hospitals, and earned.
MetroPlusHealth to kick off the 2026 NYC Free Tax Prep offers mul-
tax season with an expanded push for tiple service options, including tra-
free, citywide tax preparation ser- ditional in-person assistance, docu-
vices, paired with stronger enforce- ment drop-off services, fully virtual
ment against deceptive practices in tax preparation conducted via secure
the paid tax preparer industry. video conferencing, and assisted
Announcing the start of DCWP’s self-preparation for filers who want
NYC Free Tax Prep initiative, the to complete their returns online with
Mayor said the program is designed expert support available by phone or
to ensure New Yorkers can file their email. IRS-certified VITA and TCE
taxes accurately without paying high and deceptive practices such as dis- Population Health Officer Dr. Nich- volunteers staff all services.
fees or falling victim to scams. The ef- guising Refund Anticipation Loans ola Davis said the partnership with The Internal Revenue Service
fort offers both in-person and virtual as “rapid refunds” or “fast cash.” NYC Free Tax Prep has grown sig- began accepting tax returns on Jan-
tax preparation services in multiple The NYC Free Tax Prep pro- nificantly since its launch. uary 26 and will continue through
languages across the five boroughs, gram is available to anyone who “Since 2018, we’ve expanded April 15, 2026. Many NYC Free Tax
including at NYC Health + Hospi- lives or works in New York City and from a single pilot site to 15 loca- Prep sites remain open year-round
tals facilities and MetroPlusHealth earns $97,000 or less per year filing tions in 2026,” she said. “By helping to help late filers, assist with pri-
community sites. as a family, or $68,000 or less filing patients file for free and access tax or-year returns, and support small
“New Yorkers shouldn’t have as an individual or couple without credits, we are reducing financial business owners and self-employed
to jump through hoops or pay out- dependents. City officials estimate stress that often stands in the way of workers with quarterly and annual
rageous fees just to file their taxes,” that roughly half of all New Yorkers good health.” filing requirements.
Mayor Mamdani said. “Through qualify. Services are offered at more Elected officials echoed that City officials noted that access to
NYC Free Tax Prep, our adminis- than 140 Volunteer Income Tax As- message. Council Member Harvey free assistance is especially import-
tration is working across agencies to sistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling Epstein, Chair of the Consumer ant this year following the elimina-
help people file for free, receive the for the Elderly (TCE) sites across and Worker Protection Committee, tion of the IRS Direct File program,
refunds they’re owed, and avoid hid- the city, with appointments available said free tax preparation can make which reduced federal no-cost filing
den fees and tax scams.” now. a meaningful difference for low-in- options.
The program has delivered sub- DCWP Commissioner Sam come households. “New Yorkers Specialised support is also avail-
stantial savings in recent years. In Levine urged New Yorkers to avoid should not have to choose between able for self-employed New York-
2025, more than 110,000 tax returns unnecessary expenses during tax sea- paying for tax services and covering ers, including gig workers, freelanc-
were completed through NYC Free son. “Protect your budget and skip essentials like rent, food, or child- ers, and small business owners with
Tax Prep, saving filers an average of pricey paid tax preparation if you care,” he said. business expenses of $250,000 or
$346 per return and an estimated can,” Levine said. “Our knowledge- MetroPlusHealth President and less. These services include help with
$38.2 million in tax preparation fees able preparers will make sure you CEO Dr. Talya Schwartz said the estimated quarterly taxes, record-
citywide. get your full refund and claim cred- organisation is once again offering keeping guidance, and one-on-one
Building on that success, the City its you may be eligible for, includ- in-person tax preparation at select consultations tailored to the needs
is this year pairing free filing services ing the recently enhanced Empire community offices, along with virtu- of independent workers.
with a stepped-up compliance drive State Child Tax Credit.” He added al assistance from trained volunteers. Language access is another key
targeting paid tax preparers who that DCWP is intensifying efforts to “For many working families, no-cost component of the initiative. Select
overcharge or mislead consumers. protect residents from tax scams at tax help can have a real impact,” she NYC Health + Hospitals sites pro-
DCWP will conduct a citywide a time when many student loan bor- said, noting that the organisation’s vide assistance in Spanish, Arabic,
sweep of paid tax preparer locations rowers are facing uncertainty due to mission extends beyond health in- Chinese, Russian, and Urdu, while
to ensure compliance with local con- shifting federal policies. surance to broader support services. virtual tax preparation is available
sumer protection laws. The agency is City health leaders stressed the Michelle Lewis, CEO of NYC in Spanish. When on-site language
also issuing notices reminding pre- link between financial stability and Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, support is unavailable, preparers use
parers that New York City law bans overall well-being. NYC Health + said offering tax preparation direct- IRS-approved over-the-phone inter-
illegal overcharging, hidden fees, Hospitals Vice President and Chief ly at health centres reflects a ho- pretation services.

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