Learn more about New York personal income tax.
New York Tax Rates
New York uses a bracketed system in which your tax rate increase as your income rises. New York’s tax rates range from a low of 4% to 10.9% for those making $25,000,000 or more. New York has these deductions available as well:
Contributions to New York’s 529 plan: You can deduct up to $5,000 or $10,000 if you’re married and filing jointly, or the actual amount you contributed, whichever is less. College tuition: You can take a college tuition deduction up to $10,000 per student if you itemize deductions on your return. You can either take a deduction or a tax credit for college tuition in New York. Only tuition paid for undergraduate enrollment or attendance at an institution of higher education is deductible. This includes expenses paid using a qualified state tuition program, such as New York’s 529 College Savings Program. You can’t deduct room and board, books, or activities, even if their purchase is required by the school.
Pension Income Can Be Excluded
Government pension income from New York state, a local government, the federal government (including Social Security benefits), and certain railroad pensions are not taxable in New York. You might qualify to exclude up to $20,000 of your pension income from taxation if you have income from a private pension and you’re over age 59½.
New York Tax Credits
Income tax credits reduce your New York State income tax liability directly—the amount of tax you owe. Refundable credits can be claimed even if you don’t owe any income tax.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
This is a credit for expenses for the care of a child or dependent while you work or go to school. It’s worth up to $2,310 as of 2021. It is refundable, meaning you can claim any amount over what you owe as a tax refund.
College Tuition Credit
A tax credit is available for up to $400 per student for qualified tuition expenses. You can either take this credit or the college tuition deduction, but not both. A worksheet is available to help you decide which option will offer you the most tax savings. This credit is also refundable.
Earned Income Credit
New York’s earned income credit is equal to 30% of your federal earned income credit. It’s reduced by the amount of any household credit you qualify for and claim. This credit is refundable.
Household Credit
You can qualify for the household credit if you have an AGI of $12,500 or less for single filers and $22,500 or less for married filing jointly as of 2021. The credit ranges from $5 to $210 plus an additional $5 to $15 for each exemption claimed on your return. The value of the credit you can claim depends on your income and your number of dependants.
Empire State Child Credit
This is a tax credit for taxpayers who have one or more qualifying children. The amount of the credit is the greater of 33% of the portion of the federal child tax credit attributable to your qualifying children, or $100 multiplied by the number of qualifying children. To claim this credit if you are single, you must have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less. If you are married filing jointly, your AGI must be $110,000 or less. And if you are married filing separately, your AGI needs to be $55,000 or less to claim this credit.
Noncustodial Parent Earned Income Credit
This credit is for full-time New York residents who have a child who doesn’t live with them and for whom they pay child support for at least half the year. You must be current on your child support obligation to qualify. The amount of the credit is the greater of 20% of the federal earned income credit (EIC) that you could have claimed if the child had lived with you or 2.5 times the federal EIC you could have claimed if you met the eligibility requirements with no children. This credit is refundable.
Real Property Tax Credit
Taxpayers who meet certain income limits can claim a credit for real estate taxes paid on property valued at $85,000 or less. You must have a household gross income of $18,000 or less. It’s available to either homeowners or renters who paid property taxes and meet eligibility requirements. The maximum credit amount is $375. It is refundable.
Paying Local Taxes on Your Return
Your city income taxes are calculated and paid on your New York State income tax return if you live in New York City or Yonkers. Forgetting to include these taxes is one of the most common mistakes made on New York income tax returns.
Filing Your Return
New York income tax returns are due by April 15 annually. You can find forms on the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website and submit your return through the mail. Another alternative for a faster refund and a more accurate return is to e-file through the state’s website. You can make payments electronically. You can also choose to receive your refund through direct deposit. This will allow you to get it more quickly than receiving it by mail.
