How to Get Your New York State Tax Refund

Did you live or work in New York state last year? Did you pay estimates, or have taxes withheld? Do you think that your tax liability may be lower than what you've paid the state? Then you may be eligible to get money back from the government! This page will show you how to get your New York State tax refund.
Tax Refund Tips
1. E-file your return
2. Use the correct form
3. Select direct deposit
4. Double check your return
5. Adjust withholdings for next year
Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact your financial adviser before using the information presented here.

Introduction
- If you lived or worked in New York State last year, you're probably required to file a New York State tax return. If your tax liability is less than the amount you paid to the state during the year, either in estimates or withholdings, you'll be entitled to a refund. New York State also has several refundable credits, like the STAR program where the state rebates part of your property taxes (if you meet certain income criteria), so even if you didn't pay any taxes to the state during the year, you may still be entitled to a refund!New York State Divison of the Budget: Middle Class STAR Rebate Program
Step 1: File Your Taxes
- You can't get a refund without filing your taxes. Preparation of your state taxes usually requires information from your federal return, so you'll need to make sure you've completed that first. There are several ways you can go about filing your taxes, depending on your personal circumstances.Yahoo! Finance: Do Taxes Yourself or Hire a Pro? (January 1, 2008)
1. Consult a professional tax preparer. If your circumstances are complicated, you'll probably want a CPA or tax attorney to prepare your return. If you run your own business, have income from several states, or own rental properties, you might benefit from the advice they provide.
2. Use a tax preparation service. These are usually more inexpensive than a licensed professional, and easier to get an appointment with. The preparers are trained by the service, but usually aren't licensed CPAs, attorneys, or enrolled agents.
3. Prepare them yourself, either via hard copy or with software that you can purchase. Purchase of a federal return software package usually includes one free state.
4. New York State has an arrangement with several software companies that allows you to file for free directly from the Department of Taxation and Finance website if you meet certain age, income, and tax status criteria.New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance: E-file for free with FreeFile
- No matter which method you use, if you're entitled to a refund and you'd like to get it quickly, make sure that you e-file. Electronic filing speeds up your refund.News Blaze: 7 Tax Tips to Help You Keep More of Your Money... (February 10, 2009) New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance: Taxpayers Should Prepare ... (Jan. 16, 2007)
Step 2: Avoid Errors
- Regardless of whether you prepare the return yourself or have a professional do it, you'll want to pay attention to the details. Small data errors can prevent your return from being processed electronically. Even if the error isn't significant enough to trigger an audit, it could still delay your refund.WSYR (Syracuse, NY): Where's My New York State Tax Refund? (February 24, 2009) Here are a few common errors to check for:
1. Make sure your social security number is accurate; just one wrong digit can cause big problems.WSYR (Syracuse, NY): Where's My New York State Tax Refund? (February 24, 2009)
2. Check the spelling of your name; an error like a wrong middle initial can delay your refund.WSYR (Syracuse, NY): Where's My New York State Tax Refund? (February 24, 2009)
3. Make sure you've used the correct form.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: 2008 Income Tax Form Selector
4. If you file a paper return, remember to sign it; if it's a joint return, both taxpayers need to sign.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Income Tax - Filing Tips
5. Check your math! Simple calculation errors can cause your return to be flagged for examination.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Income Tax - Filing Tips
Step 3: Select Direct Deposit
- Although you can request your refund by a paper check, you'll receive it faster if you request direct deposit.New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance: Direct Deposit of Your Income Tax Refund
1. You can have your refund deposited into either a savings account or a checking account.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Direct Deposit of Your Income Tax Refund
2. You'll need your bank's nine-digit routing number as well as your bank account number.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Direct Deposit of Your Income Tax Refund
3. The combination of electronic filing and direct deposit can get you your refund in two weeks.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Taxpayers Should Prepare ... (January 16, 2007)
Step 4: Check on the Status of Your Refund
- After you've filed, you may want to check on the status of your refund.
1. You can access this information on the New York State Department of Revenue's website by providing the form number that you filed and your taxpayer identification number (which is usually your social security number).New York State Department of Revenue: Income Tax Refund Status for Tax Year 2008
2. You can also check the status of your refund by phone. The state's automated refund hotline can be reached at 1-800-443-3200.James Maertin, C.P.A.: Refund Status
Conclusion
- By March 1, 2009, the state of New York had already sent out 1,037,000 tax refunds totaling over $805 million. That means that over a million people loaned their money to New York State last year, interest-free.WSYR (Syracuse, NY): Where's My New York State Tax Refund? (February 24, 2009) If you don't want to be included in that statistic this year, you can reduce your estimates and/or withholdings to try to get closer to the actual amount of your 2009 tax liability. While this may mean that you won't get a refund next year, it will also put more money in your pocket during the year. Be aware, however, that if you lower the amount too much so that you do owe taxes next year, you may be liable for interest and penalties. It is a good idea to ask your tax preparer for help with this calculation.New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: How to Estimate the Tax