Tax season is upon us again, and this year, Tax Day is April 15th. Below you will find information and resources that you can use to prepare.

IRS Direct File Program

In 2024, the IRS introduced the Direct File pilot program in certain states, including New York. Contrary to the confusing messaging from the Trump Administration, this program is still available to New Yorkers who meet the eligibility criteria.

If you are eligible, you can electronically file your 2024 federal tax return for free directly with the IRS, then seamlessly export your information into New York State Direct File to complete your New York State return. You can access IRS Direct File and New York State Direct File from your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Find more information on eligibility and how to participate here.

Free Tax Preparation Resources

• IRS Free File
  • Taxpayers with income of $84,000 or less last year can use IRS Free File Guided Tax Software now through October 15, 2025.
  • Taxpayers comfortable filling out tax forms electronically, can use Free File Fillable Forms, regardless of income, to file their tax returns either by mail or online.
• VITA & TCE
  • The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. You may qualify if you are elderly, disabled, speak limited English, or are a taxpayer who earns less than approximately $67,000 annually.
  • The VITA Locator Tool will help you locate an open VITA site near you. There are also virtual options available for those who are unable to go to a VITA site in person.

Check the Status of Your Refund

The easiest way to check a refund's status is by using Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app. The status is available within 24 hours after the IRS receives your e-filed tax return or up to 4 weeks after you mailed a paper return. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so you only need to check once a day.

Many factors can affect refund timing after the IRS receives a tax return. Although the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, the IRS cautions taxpayers not to rely on receiving a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying bills. Some returns may require additional review and may take longer.

Under the federal Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) refunds before mid-February. Where's My Refund? should show an updated status by February 22nd for most early EITC/ACTC filers. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3rd if they chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.

Keep Your Personal Information Safe

With tax season starting, millions of Americans will be targeted by tax scams. Here are some tips to keep your personal information safe and be alert to scams this tax season:

• Taxpayers should be alert to potential fake emails or websites looking to steal personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email about a tax bill or refund.
• Don't click on links claiming to be from the IRS.
• A common tax scam involves bogus threatening phone calls from a scammer claiming to be with the IRS.
• However, IRS employees will NOT:
  • Call you with threats of jail or lawsuits
  • Contact you to demand an immediate payment
  • Send you an unsolicited email suggesting you have a refund or that you need to update your account
  • Tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended
  • Promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information
  • Ask you for credit or debit card numbers over the phone
  • Require a specific means of debt repayment, like a prepaid debit card or gift card
• If you receive a suspicious call or are unsure of the identity of someone alleging to be from a federal agency, hang up and do not provide personal information or payment.
• If you are an identity theft victim and your tax account is affected, review the steps you need to take at the IRS Identity Theft Central.
  • If the individual is not an IRS employee and does not have a legitimate need to contact you and regardless of whether you were a victim of the scam or not, report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agencies:
    • If IRS-related, please report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
    • If Treasury-related, please report to the Office of the Treasury Inspector General (TIG) via oigcounsel@oig.treas.gov.
    • Please report IRS or Treasury-related fraudulent calls to phishing@irs.gov (Subject: IRS Phone Scam).

I hope you find this update on my work for you helpful. To receive more updates like these, click here to sign up. If I can be of assistance with a federal issue or any other matter of concern, please email me here or call one of my offices listed below. 

Sincerely, 

JERROLD NADLER

Member of Congress