Tools We Recommend
We've tested and vetted these products to help you file taxes, invest wisely, and grow your wealth.
📄 Tax Filing Software
TurboTax
The most popular tax software with step-by-step guidance for all tax situations.
- Easy interview format
- Automatic import
- Audit support
H&R Block
Trusted tax software with in-person support options at local offices.
- In-person support
- Free edition available
- Max refund guarantee
TaxAct
Affordable tax filing with professional accuracy at a lower price.
- Lower cost
- Simple interface
- Accuracy guarantee
📈 Investment Platforms
Fidelity
Zero-fee investing with excellent research tools and retirement planning.
- $0 commission trades
- Zero expense ratio funds
- Retirement planning
Vanguard
Low-cost index funds perfect for long-term retirement investing.
- Lowest expense ratios
- Index fund pioneer
- Retirement focus
Betterment
Automated investing (robo-advisor) with tax-loss harvesting included.
- Automated investing
- Tax-loss harvesting
- Easy setup
🏦 High-Yield Savings
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
High-yield savings account with no fees and competitive interest rates.
- High yield savings
- No minimum deposit
- No fees
Ally Bank
Full-service online bank with high yields and excellent customer service.
- No monthly fees
- 24/7 support
- Full banking suite
Filing a New York return for less
Most New York filers do not need to pay for software at all. The state and the IRS both run free filing programs, and the eligibility line for the federal guided-software programme is higher than many people assume. Before you pay for a commercial package, check whether one of the free paths already covers your return — the table below lists what each one includes, and what it leaves you to do yourself.
| Filing path | Who qualifies | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Free File (NY + IRS) | 2025 federal adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less | Guided software that e-files both the federal and the New York State return at no cost; the provider list and each provider's own criteria are on the Department's e-file page |
| Free File Fillable Forms | Any income level | Federal forms only — you fill them in yourself; no free state return and limited calculations |
| VITA & TCE | Lower-income, elderly, disabled and limited-English-speaking taxpayers | In-person volunteer preparation of basic federal and state returns |
| Paid preparer | Anyone | Most preparers must e-file your New York return and by law cannot charge you extra for the state e-file itself |
What actually matters on a New York return
- New York e-file support for your form. Residents file IT-201; part-year residents and non-residents file IT-203. Not every cheap package supports both, so confirm the form you need is covered before you start entering data.
- City and Yonkers handling. A NYC resident pays the city tax as part of the same state return, and Yonkers residents owe the surcharge on their state tax. Software that only computes state tax will understate the bill.
- Credit for tax paid to another state. If you live in New York and worked in New Jersey or Connecticut — or moved mid-year — the credit for taxes paid to another state is worth real money and is easy to miss.
- Import and audit support. W-2 and 1099 import cuts typing errors; audit support matters more as income gets more complex. Neither is worth paying for if a free program already covers your situation.
Run your numbers through the paycheck calculator or the refund estimator first — a rough liability figure makes it obvious whether an upgraded paid tier is buying you anything. The filing deadlines guide covers the dates that apply to whichever path you choose.
Sources: New York Department of Taxation and Finance e-file options for personal income tax (page last reviewed April 9, 2026) and IRS Free File.
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Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase or sign up for a service. This comes at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we have personally used or thoroughly researched and believe will add value to our readers. Your trust is our priority, and we strive to provide honest, unbiased recommendations.