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File Your Taxes for Free with Food Bank

Unlock the refunds & credits you and your family deserve with help from trained Food Bank volunteers through our VITA Program. Services available to eligible New Yorkers online or in-person.

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Tax Filing Made Easy

As an IRS-sponsored and certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provider, Food Bank’s team of experienced professionals provides you with top-notch tax filing assistance. In addition to providing high quality tax preparation for free, we help secure the refunds and credits you rightfully deserve, including the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), potentially worth over $9,000. Whether you prefer the convenience of filing online or need in-person assistance, we’ve got you covered.

Helping New Yorkers Save Big

For 20+ years, our IRS-sponsored and certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has:

830K
Filed Tax Returns
$1.4B
Secured in refunds
$200M
Saved in preparation fees
$2.4B
Produced in economic growth

Before you get started:

  • You’re eligible for free tax services if you earned $65,000 or less in 2023.
  • Tax season starts January 29 and services will remain open through April 15

There are four ways to file for free with Food Bank For New York City:

  1. 100% Online: Stay home and send us your required information. Submit your tax documents directly to Food Bank using your smartphone, tablet or computer and our certified preparers will complete and file your taxes.
  2. Drop-Off & Go: Drop-off your tax documents at one of our trusted community partner locations across New York City, and our certified preparers will complete and file your taxes.
  3. Assisted Self-Preparation (Online or In-Person): Take charge of your own finances! Use Food Bank’s free software to file online or in-person with expert help.
  4. In-Person Assistance: Need in-person help? Meet with a trained preparer at one of our tax offices who will complete and file your taxes in about an hour. At least one location per borough. By appointment only.
    • Other Non-Food Bank VITA Sites: File with help from other trusted community tax providers. These sites are not run by Food Bank but provide similar VITA tax assistance. By appointment only.

Checklist

Review a checklist of documents you need to file your tax return.

View and Download Checklist

See if you qualify for one of our four tax filing services below based on your 2023 income. Once you’ve reviewed the eligibility criteria, choose the best method for you and get started.

100% Online

Filing your own taxes online is easy and completely free (for both Federal and State taxes)! Use your smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera to safely and securely upload pictures of your tax documents. Returns completed in about 5-7 business days.

You qualify to file your taxes online if you:

  • Made $65,000 or less in 2023
  • Have a working email & mobile phone (preferably a smartphone)
  • Sign-up to join a quick 5-minute VIDEO CHAT* with our IRS-certified tax preparers for identity verification.
    *Use FaceTime (iPhone), What’s App (iPhone and Android), or Microsoft Teams (iPhone and Android).
Get Started Get Started (Español)

Do you give your consent to Food Bank For New York City to contact you by text message or phone at the cell phone number you provided above on this form? This authorization allows for faster communication with you. However, all regular cellphone rates and charges will apply as per your contract with your telecommunications service provider.

Drop-Off & Go

Bring your tax documents to one of our community locations where trained staff will review and safely and securely upload your tax documents for Food Bank’s certified preparers. Returns completed in about 5-7 business days. Some locations may require an appointment.

You qualify to file your taxes at one of our drop-off locations if you:

  • Earn $65,000 or less in 2023
  • See Drop-Off & Go locations below to select the best location for you.
  • Bring all required documents to your Drop-Off appointment.

Be prepared for Drop-Off services only.
*Review our Tax Document Checklist.

View Drop-Off Locations

Assisted Self-Prep (Online & In-Person)

Take charge and prepare your own tax returns online or in-person with free tax software and expert support provided by Food Bank. Get help from an IRS-certified tax coach on site at one of our libraries or by calling our Tax Call center for support.

Female with headphones on public transport, looking at her phone

You qualify to file with our free software if:

  • Your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $79,000 or less in 2023

You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Get Started: Using Software Online Make an Appointment at a Self-Prep Site

Book your appointment below by first selecting your borough, then selecting a tax site. You will receive a confirmation email and/or text message once your appointment is made.

*Not applicable if you are filing taxes online or through our expert software services.

Other Non-Food Bank VITA Sites

Or file with another community partner site nearest to you. These services are IRS-certified VITA providers but are not run by Food Bank. By appointment only.

You qualify to file your taxes at other VITA sites across NYC if you:

  • Earn $65,000 or less
  • Make an appointment online – see below to select the best location for you.

Bring all the necessary documents to your appointment.
*Review our Tax Document Checklist.

See Partner Sites
Elderly couple doing their taxes at home

Need Assistance?

Contact our Tax Call Center

Phone: 646.981.6111
Email: eitc@foodbanknyc.org

Hours

Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday:
10:00am – 2:00pm

Why File with Food Bank

Free!

Eligible New Yorkers can experience the benefits of professional tax assistance – with zero cost.

Easy to use

Our tax preparation team will help walk you step by step through the tax filing process.

Most services take around 7-10 business days, or less.

Exceptionally secure

We are proudly sponsored and certified by the IRS, ensuring the utmost security for your financial information. We also use high-quality encryption software for all tax preparation and filing.

File with Flexibility

Can be completed 100% online or with in-person assistance at dozens of locations.

Tax Client Testimonials

Female with headphones on public transport, looking at her phone

FAQs

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The program has been running nationally for over 50 years and Food Bank has been a proud VITA provider for over 20 years!

Learn More

VITA serves eligible filers residing within the city and state of New York.

You may receive assistance between January 29 until April 15 online or at any of our in-person or drop-off locations.

Online or in-person – securely and safely send us your tax documents, drop off your tax documents for safe and secure intake into our preparation system, or get help at one of our in-person Tax Sites for one-on-one tax preparation support.

Food Bank relies on hundreds of volunteers each year to help serve our tax clients.

Learn more about becoming a VITA volunteer

Food Bank’s tax program is sponsored by the IRS and generously supported by NYC local government (NY City Council), foundations and individuals.  Food Bank operates its tax services in accordance with all IRS standards and practices.

You do need an appointment for assistance at one of our In-Person tax sites, Self-Prep library locations, or select Drop-Off and Go locations.

You do NOT need an appointment for 100% Online and online Self-Prep services!

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