Filing taxes can be a daunting task, especially in a state like New York that has its own tax laws and regulations. Whether you are a resident, a nonresident, or a part-year resident of New York, you need to be aware of the tax rules that apply to you and how they may affect your federal tax return. In this article, we will cover seven important things that New York taxpayers need to know before filing their taxes in 2024.
1. New York State Income Tax Rates and Brackets
New York State has a progressive income tax system, which means that the tax rate increases as your income level rises. For 2024, the state income tax rates range from 4% to 10.9%, depending on your filing status and taxable income. The state also has eight tax brackets, which are adjusted annually for inflation.
2. New York City and Yonkers Income Taxes
If you live or work in New York City or Yonkers, you may have to pay additional local income taxes on top of the state income tax. New York City imposes a local income tax that ranges from 3.078% to 3.876%, depending on your filing status and taxable income. Yonkers imposes a local income tax of 16.75% of your state income tax liability.
3. New York Standard Deduction and Personal Exemption
New York State allows you to claim a standard deduction or itemize your deductions, whichever is more beneficial for you. The standard deduction amounts for 2024 are:
- $8,600 for single or married filing separately
- $16,050 for married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
- $11,400 for head of household
You can also claim a personal exemption of $1,000 for yourself and each of your dependents, unless you are claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. The personal exemption is phased out for high-income taxpayers.
4. New York Itemized Deductions
If you choose to itemize your deductions, you can deduct certain expenses that are allowed by the federal tax law, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable contributions, medical expenses, and unreimbursed employee expenses. However, New York State has some limitations and modifications on the federal itemized deductions, such as:
- You cannot deduct state and local income taxes or sales taxes
- You cannot deduct gambling losses
- You cannot deduct miscellaneous deductions subject to the 2% of adjusted gross income (AGI) floor
- You must reduce your medical expenses by 7.5% of your AGI
- You must reduce your charitable contributions by 25% of the amount that exceeds 50% of your AGI
You can find more information on the New York itemized deductions.
5. New York Tax Credits
New York State offers a number of tax credits that can reduce your tax liability or increase your refund. Some of the most common tax credits are:
- Child and dependent care credit: This credit is based on a percentage of the federal child and dependent care credit, and varies depending on your income and the number of children or dependents you have.
- Earned income credit: This credit is based on a percentage of the federal earned income credit, and is available for low- to moderate-income workers and families.
- Household credit: This credit is available for taxpayers who do not have a dependent and have income below a certain threshold.
- Empire State child credit: This credit is available for taxpayers who have a child under 17 years old and claim the federal child tax credit.
- College tuition credit: This credit is available for taxpayers who pay qualified tuition expenses for themselves, their spouse, or their dependents at an eligible college or university in New York State.
You can find more information on the New York tax credits.
6. New York Tax Filing and Payment Deadlines
The deadline for filing your New York State income tax return is the same as the federal deadline, which is usually April 15th of the following year. However, if April 15th falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day. For 2024, the deadline is Monday, April 15th.
If you cannot file your return by the deadline, you can request an automatic six-month extension by filing Form IT-370 on or before the due date. However, an extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay your tax. You must pay at least 90% of your estimated tax liability by the original due date to avoid penalties and interest.
You can pay your New York State income tax online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
7. New York Tax Forms and Resources
You can find the New York State income tax forms and instructions here. You can also file your return electronically using the New York State Tax Department’s free online service, NY.gov ID, or a commercial tax software program.
If you need help with your New York State income tax, you can contact the Tax Department by phone, email, or mail. You can also visit one of the local offices or taxpayer assistance centers across the state.
Conclusion
Filing your New York State income tax can be a complex and challenging process, but it can also be a rewarding one if you take advantage of the deductions, credits, and resources that are available to you. By following the seven tips in this article, you can prepare your tax return with confidence and accuracy, and hopefully save some money along the way. Happy filing!