NYS Tax Department Shares Filing Tips Before April 15 Deadline

Ensure a Timely Filed Return and Follow U.S. Postal Service Postmark Procedures if Filing by Mail

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminds taxpayers that the dead line to file returns and pay any tax owed is midnight on April 15, 2026. Taxpayers who are unable to file a completed return by the deadline can apply for an extension of time to file. An extension will provide more time to prepare and file your return, but not more time to pay any tax owed. Taxpayers must make full payment of the properly estimated tax balance owed when requesting an extension of time to file.

Taxpayers who mail their tax return or payment must have their envelope postmarked by the filing deadline, April 15, 2026, to avoid penal ties and interest.

Before mailing, tax payers should visit the NYS Tax Department and the IRS for the correct mailing address when submitting a paper tax return.

For more tax return mailing tips, visit Mail Your Tax Return with USPS.

E-FILE AND SAVE A TRIP TO THE POST OFFICE

Before choosing to submit a paper return, taxpayers should con sider the benefits of e-filing. E-filing is safer, faster, and more efficient than sending paper returns through the mail.

Many taxpayers may be eligible to e-file their personal income tax returns for free with Free File or other free e-filing options found directly on the Tax Department’s web site, www.tax.ny.gov. Additional free filing resources for qualifying taxpayers are available through GetYourRefund. Taxpayers should check their eligibility to see which free filing option is right for them.

GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The most efficient way to obtain filing guidance and information, including answers to common questions, is to visit the Tax Department’s web site, www.tax.ny.gov, and our Income tax filing resource center.