When April comes each year you can always rely on one thing. You know it’s time to pay your taxes. April isn’t all bad news; some people get a refund, and love to have the extra money. Whether you are paying in, or getting money back, you still have to file by the fifteenth of April. Not only do you have federal and local taxes, if you live in the Empire State, you also have to file New York State income tax forms. 

You should file your New York State income tax at the same time you file your federal and local taxes. In most cases, a tax preparer will do this for you when they tackle your receipts and W-2s. If you are attempting to do your taxes on your own, make sure you know what you are doing. If you need help, you can buy software like TurboTax to help you along. The rules, regulations, and rates should all be in the software, but check before you buy. TurboTax may only cover federal taxes.

Like most other states, New York asks for a certain percentage of your paycheck to help pay for expenses. It’s almost like paying your electric bill. The funds raised by New York State income tax helps pay for the upkeep and running of the state. It pays for the salaries of government, police, and other services, as well as roadway repairs, education, and public services like Child Protective Services. 

Some people don’t have a clue what to do with their New York State income tax refund. Many go on a shopping spree and spend the entire amount. They treat it as if it wasn’t money they earned, but rather a bunch of free money. What they don’t realize is that this is a great time to plan for the future. While it’s perfectly wonderful to spend some money on things you need, and a few extra things you don’t need, you should put at least half of it away. This allows you to save for retirement or your children’s education without it taking a big bite out of your budget.

If you don’t know what to do, never fear, there is someone who can help you. Go to your bank and ask for help. Most banks have someone who is hired to do just that. Tell them you have a New York State income tax refund, and you would like to put some into savings. They will tell you what your best options are for the amount you have, and give you great suggestions on how to make your money grow. Even a simple savings account can accrue interest over time.

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