Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R,C-Staten Island) is encouraging eligible families to take advantage of New York’s expanded Empire State Child Credit and free tax preparation services available to help residents file before the April 15 deadline.

Enhanced credit provides meaningful financial relief to families across the state. Eligible households can receive up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $330 per child ages four through 16 for the current tax filing season. The credit is refundable, meaning families can receive the full benefit even if they owe little or no state income tax.

To qualify, families must be full-year New York residents, have at least one eligible child under age 17 and file a New York state income tax return by April 15. Households must also provide a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for themselves and their children. Importantly, there is no minimum income required to receive the credit.

Recent changes to the program expanded eligibility and increased benefits for families across a wider range of income levels. Full credit is now available to jointly filing households earning up to $110,000, and families earning more may still qualify for a partial credit under the adjusted phase-out. These reforms have significantly increased the average benefit and extended eligibility to families who previously did not qualify.

In addition to the expanded credit, free income tax preparation assistance is available to help ensure families receive the full value of the benefits they are entitled to. These services are offered to qualifying households, typically those earning up to $69,000 annually, and are designed to make filing simple, accurate and cost-free.

Assemblyman Reilly emphasized the importance of awareness and access to these resources:

“Many families may not realize they are eligible for this expanded credit or that free help is available to file their taxes,” said Assemblyman Reilly. “This is real financial relief that can help cover everyday costs like groceries, childcare and housing. I encourage anyone who may qualify to take advantage of these resources and make sure they receive every dollar they are entitled to.”

Families may also be eligible for additional federal and state tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and childcare-related credits, which can further increase their total refund.

Receiving the Empire State Child Credit or other tax refunds will not impact eligibility for programs such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income or housing assistance.

For more information on eligibility requirements or to find a free tax preparation site, residents are encouraged to visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website or contact their local community assistance provider.