NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin, DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine and Urban Upbound Celebrate Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day

 

City Hall event marks 20 years of Urban Upbound’s partnership with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection providing free tax preparation services for New Yorkers

Celebration underscores Speaker Menin’s and DCWP’s commitment to transparency and helping New Yorkers keep more of what they earn

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and Urban Upbound celebrated Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day at City Hall, highlighting the critical role free tax preparation plays in helping working families access the refunds they deserve. The event also marked 20 years of Urban Upbound’s partnership with DCWP to provide free, high-quality tax preparation services to New Yorkers.

Urban Upbound’s tax preparation program operates at more than 50 locations across the five boroughs, as well as online, through partnerships with community organizations, major institutions, and elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels.

The program is made possible through Urban Upbound’s participation in DCWP’s NYC Tax Prep Coalition and the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which together ensure services are accurate, accessible, and free for all eligible New Yorkers.

“For 20 years, Urban Upbound has helped working families keep more of what they earn,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “By providing free, high-quality tax preparation, they’ve put countless dollars back into the pockets of New Yorkers—money that can mean an extra meal, paying the rent, or investing in a child’s future. These partnerships are essential to fighting economic inequality and making New York City more affordable.” Speaker Menin previously served as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, where she helped launch a citywide Earned Income Tax Credit initiative that returned more than $260 million to low-income New Yorkers.

“Every year, ‘NYC Free Tax Prep’ saves New Yorkers tens of millions in tax preparation fees, while ensuring they can avoid predatory and expensive paid filing services,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “With trusted providers like Urban Upbound, with whom we have two decades of partnership, we offer vital tax preparation services to thousands of New Yorkers across the entire 5 boroughs. In 2025, if you earned $68,000 or less as an individual, or a family that earned less than $97,000, I urge you to file for free through NYC Free Tax prep and get your maximum refund.”

Urban Upbound’s tax prep program files taxes for New York households that earn $97,000 or less in a given year, and small businesses with $250,000 or less in expenses. With over 21,000 returns filed and a 98.2% accuracy rate in 2025, Urban Upbound’s tax preparation program is ranked as the top program of its kind in New York State and #3 in the country.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the biggest tax breaks for working people. EITC puts money in the hands of hard-working taxpayers and can be a boost to their families and communities,” said George Adjetey, NYC Territory Manager of the IRS.

“For two decades, Urban Upbound has been a lifeline for working families in Queens and across New York City, ensuring that our neighbors are able to claim the hard-earned tax credits they deserve,” said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. “The Earned Income Tax Credit helps lift countless families out of poverty, and by providing free, high-quality preparation, Urban Upbound is putting millions of dollars back into our city’s economy. I am proud to celebrate their 20th anniversary and look forward to continuing to work toward a more equitable and affordable New York.”

“In a time when affordability is top of mind for New Yorkers, having the resources Urban Upbound provides can be a game-changing tool for so many, offering free tax preparation services across 50 locations throughout the five boroughs to individuals making under $68,000 and families making under $97,000. As Comptroller, any chance to put money back in the pockets of working people and small businesses is something I support wholeheartedly, and I am proud that Speaker Menin, the City Council and DCWP continue to bring awareness to this vital service available to New Yorkers,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine.

Program Snapshot:

•   #1 Tax Preparer in New York State
  Urban Upbound is the leading free tax preparation provider in New York State, serving tens of thousands of residents through the NYC Free Tax Prep and VITA programs.
•   #3 Tax Preparer in the United States
   Recognized as the third-largest free tax preparation provider in the country, reflecting both the scale and impact of Urban Upbound’s tax services.
•   IRS-Certified VITA/TCE Volunteer Tax Preparers
  All tax returns are prepared by volunteers and staff who meet rigorous training and quality standards, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and taxpayer confidence.
•   Over 50 Tax Preparation Offices Across New York City
  Services are available at more than 50 convenient locations across all five boroughs, as well as virtually, making free tax preparation accessible to New Yorkers where they live and work.
•   98.2% Accuracy Rate
  Urban Upbound maintains an exceptionally high accuracy rate, exceeding IRS quality benchmarks and ensuring clients receive the maximum refund they are entitled to.
•   More Than 21,000 Tax Returns Filed in 2025
  In the most recent tax season, Urban Upbound successfully prepared and filed over 21,000 tax returns, returning millions of dollars back into New York City communities.

Program Details:

For 20 years, Urban Upbound has provided high-quality and free tax preparation and filing services to lower-income and working-class individuals and families. The process is simple and accessible: New Yorkers make an appointment at one of Urban Upbound’s 50+ locations across the City or online via its virtual platform. The organization’s IRS-certified tax preparers then prepare and file the returns and help New Yorkers maximize their refund through credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Additionally, over 22 languages and dialects are spoken by Urban Upbound’s tax preparers.

Urban Upbound can prepare and file taxes for New Yorkers earning $97,000 or less in a given year from any and all of the following: employment income; self-employed/gig workers/freelancers; and entitlements. Urban Upbound also files taxes for small businesses of any structure, including worker cooperatives, with $250,000 or less in yearly expenses.

In 2025, Urban Upbound filed over 21,000 tax returns. The organization served New Yorkers residing in every single zip code in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, and most zip codes in Staten Island. Urban Upbound also achieved a 98.2% accuracy rate. With these stats, Urban Upbound retained the distinction of being the #1 tax preparer in the state of New York and the #3 preparer in the country, participating in the Free Tax Preparation in New York State and VITA program, respectively. In addition to support from DCWP and the IRS, the tax prep program also receives support from elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels, America Works, Brooklyn and Queens Library, HANAC, Make the Road, New York City Health + Hospitals and MetroPlus Health, New York City Workforce1, Robin Hood, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, the Shorefront Jewish Community Council, and Sunnyside Community Services.