Taxes, Cash & Savings · Surprise rank #218
NYC Residents: Get Up to $125 Even If You Owe $0 Income Tax
The NYC school tax credit is available to qualifying residents but may require filing a tax return to receive it.
Who
Qualifying full- or part-year NYC residents who meet filing rules.
Where: NYC.
What to do
Start here: Claim the credit on the NY return or file Form NYC-210 when not otherwise required to file.
Eligibility: NYC residency, income and filing-status rules.
What you get
Qualifying NYC residents can receive a small refundable credit even when they owe no state income tax.
Benefit: Up to $125 for married filing jointly or a qualifying surviving spouse; up to $63 for other filers.
Possible value: Usually tens to about $125 per return.
Good to know
Important: Income, residency and dependent rules apply. People not required to file must submit the designated claim form.
Availability: Annual tax filing.
Why people miss it: It is buried in state tax forms and omitted when people fail to file because they owe no tax.
Sources reviewed: Aug 2, 2026