What's happening
This bill requires New York State to create a free online program for all residents to file federal and state tax returns.
Why it matters
Levels the playing field for all taxpayers. By making the program free and available to everyone regardless of income, it removes barriers that often force people with more complicated finances or lower incomes to pay for tax preparation services.
Reduces reliance on private tax software. This could diminish the influence of commercial tax prep companies, potentially saving New Yorkers millions in fees and protecting them from upselling and hidden charges.
Simplifies and streamlines tax filing. A state-managed platform could make tax filing more user-friendly and less intimidating, decreasing errors and increasing compliance, especially for those unfamiliar with tax laws.
Enhances data security and oversight. A government-run system may offer more robust privacy protections and fewer conflicts of interest compared to private companies handling sensitive financial data.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Free Online Tax Filing
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Referred to ways and means
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Free Online Tax Filing
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
825
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
AN ACT directing the department of taxation and finance to create and implement an online program which will enable each New York state taxpayer to prepare and electronically file his or her federal and state income tax returns free of charge
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The department of taxation and finance is authorized and directed to create and implement an online program which will enable each New York state taxpayer to prepare and electronically file his or her federal and state income tax returns free of charge, regardless of the taxpayer's income level. This program shall be made available to all New York state taxpayers on the department's website no later than one hundred eighty days following the effective date of this act.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04077-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.