Albany, NY – April 10, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced two additional days of special free tax assistance to help Bronx taxpayers file their federal and state income tax returns on-time. Tax Department experts are available today and tomorrow at the Melrose Library in The Bronx, in addition to 24 other locations across the city.
Tax Department data shows a high percentage of eligible taxpayers in The Bronx haven’t taken advantage of the free assistance available to them. Instead, many are paying a tax preparer, which can cost hundreds of dollars. At the special assistance events at the Melrose Library, eligible taxpayers can save time and money while learning how to complete their own tax returns for the future. Individuals and families earning $60,000 or less can file their returns at no cost and avoid penalties by filing before the April 15 deadline. The Melrose Library is one of 80 taxpayer assistance sites sponsored by the Tax Department across New York State.
“Under Governor Cuomo, New York State sponsored an expanded network of free tax assistance sites this year,” said New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “We thank the Bronx Library team and especially the Melrose Branch for hosting these taxpayer assistance events.”
Tax Department experts will be on-site from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm today and from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday to help guide taxpayers through user-friendly tax preparation software. The software also helps ensure that valuable income tax credits, like the EITC, aren’t overlooked.
Spanish-speaking Tax Department employees will be available to assist taxpayers.
“We’re so very pleased to be able to offer this service to our patrons, many of whom would be unable to afford tax preparation programs otherwise,” Melrose Library Branch Manager Sadeqwa Atkinson said. “We encourage our patrons to stop by the branch and get their taxes filed if they have not already.”
In The Bronx alone, there are 30 free tax preparation sites sponsored by the IRS, AARP or the NYS Tax Department. Across New York City there are nearly 150 sites.
Frank Velez, Regional Coordinator for AARP’s Free Tax Preparation Program, said, “Eligible New York City residents should call 311 to find a free tax preparation site near them. We are glad to partner with the IRS and NYS Tax Department to offer free assistance throughout the five boroughs.”
When visiting a free tax preparation site, taxpayers should bring photo identification, documents relating to income and expenses, as well as a copy of last year’s tax return, if they filed one.
For more information
- To find a free tax assistance site in your community, visit www.tax.ny.gov/fsa or call 311
- For New York State tax information call 518-457-5181
