NY state tax return for Ukrainian refugees

[adel]

Tax return for Ukrainian refugees questions:
a Ukrainian family came to the US last summer, are they supposed to file a tax return and if so, where can they do it free of charge on Long Island?
Or what is an easiest way to do it for free online? I know about OLT, but it's way to complicated for people in their situation.

TIA

Comments

[inka]

Libraries have the forms during tax season and sometimes offer tax filing assistance, usually under VITA program umbrella, so if their library isn't offering it, may try googling for VITA locations.
If they're low income, should be able to file for free
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-free-file-launch-aims-to-save-taxpayers-hard-earned-dollars

https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/

[adel]

ty!

[zuka1]

https://www.freetaxusa.com/ - free and pretty self-explanatory

And they can just go through the IRS interview to determine whether they have to file (they may not have it their income is below standard deduction):
https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return

Also in our first year in the US we just went to a free tax filing service at our community college, its students filed it for us for free.

[adel]

ty!

[yatur]

Do they have to file? Yes if they earned more than $4,000. If they had any tax withheld, it may make sense to file regardless of the income, to get a refund.

What is the easiest way?
NY requires an e-file. If their income is below $41,000, there is a number of free options.
https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/efile/
If it is more, TurboTax Free may be an option, but it has a bunch of limitations.

You can email me at yaturkenzhensirhiv [at] yahoo.com, I will help them out. I am not a tax professional, but I was filing NY returns for almost 20 years, so I can help with the basic stuff. I promise due diligence, but I am not a tax agency, so no guarantees or warranties of any kind.

[adel]

many thanks, very kind of you!

[enot]

There should be paper forms at any USPS office; 1st year turbotax cab be free; IRS free option https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

[yatur]

Unlike the Feds, New York state requires e-file. Paper forms won't work.