ALBANY, N.Y.  |  March 24, 2026 —Families across the Capital Region have a major opportunity this tax season: an expanded child tax credit that puts back hundreds of dollars back into household budgets. State and local leaders are urging all eligible residents to file before the April 15 tax deadline.

This tax season, the expanded Empire Child Tax Credit can provide up to $1,000 for low-income families with young children, even if they have no earnings.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner, Barbara C. Guinn, Albany County Executive, Daniel P. McCoy, and United Way of the Greater Capital Region, President and CEO Peter Gannon gathered at Trinity Alliance in Albany to discuss the expanded tax credit and highlight how families with income below $69,000 can receive free income tax assistance through the Capital Region Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Free Tax Help Available through VITA

Capital Region, families earning under $69,000 can access free assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. These services are especially valuable for first-time filers or those unfamiliar with tax credits, helping maximize refunds without added financial burden.

There are more than 20 VITA sites throughout the Capital Region, including the one hosted at Trinity Alliance. Each site is staffed with IRS-Certified Volunteers to assist filers. Appointments can be made getfreetaxprep.org

With the filing deadline approaching, the message is clear: eligible families should act now.

Between the expanded child tax credit and free tax preparation services, thousands of households stand to gain meaningful financial relief. But the benefit is only available to those who take the final step and file.

For many families, this could mean extra funds for essentials like housing, childcare, food, and utilities—support that arrives at a critical time.

Families can get money from the Empire State Child Credit (ESCC) if they: 

• are a full-year resident of New York State, 
• have at least one qualifying child under 17, 
• file a New York State income tax return,
• provide a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for themselves and each child. 

The total amount of money they receive will depend on income, family size, and the age of the children.

Peter Gannon, President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Capital Region said, “We want to ensure no family misses out on additional cash that could make the difference for their household. Financial stability starts with access to more resources.  More families are struggling to afford the basics with rising costs and stagnant incomes.  New York’s expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit significantly increases the number of families who are eligible and can receive this credit. The state is helping to make a measurable difference for families with children, and we want to ensure more families know about resources available when filing their returns.”

“The expanded Empire State Child Credit will provide a much-needed boost to household budgets for millions of families across New York State and will be especially impactful for families with young children who have little or no income,” said OTDA Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “But it’s important that those families know they need to file a New York State income tax return to receive the money and that doing so will not impact other benefits they may receive, including SNAP and Medicaid. The Capital Region Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program makes it easy for Albany families to complete and file their taxes for free while making sure they get all the tax credits they qualify for.”

“For a lot of families, tax season can be confusing and stressful, especially when every dollar matters. The VITA program gives low-income residents a place they can go to get help, ask questions, and make sure they’re not leaving money on the table. It’s a simple idea that has a real impact, helping households stay financially stable while putting millions of dollars back into our economy,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. 

U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko shared, “Expanded tax credits like the Empire State Child Credit are powerful tools that help families across our Capital Region and New York State keep up with rising costs and put more money back into their pockets. But as valuable as they are, these benefits can only make a difference if families know about them and can take advantage of them — which is why programs like the United Way’s VITA initiative are so vital in helping New Yorkers file their taxes and claim every credit they’ve earned. I’m grateful to OTDA and the United Way for shining a spotlight on these essential benefits and ensuring more families can access every resource they qualify for.”