One Brooklyn
ON EITC AWARENESS DAY, BOROUGH PRESIDENT REMINDS BROOKLYN FILERS TO NOT LEAVE RESOURCES ON THE TABLE, AS HE PARTNERS WITH GROW BROOKLYN TO HELP THEM PREPARE AN EXPECTED 8,000 FREE TAX RETURNS THIS SEASON
BROOKLYN, NY, January 26, 2018: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Grow Brooklyn, the largest non-paid tax preparer in the borough, recognized Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day by announcing a new season of free tax prep services at Brooklyn Borough Hall, amid uncertainty around the impending effect of the federal tax law enacted last month. Beginning today from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering a number of free tax preparation sessions for eligible residents, including single filers who earned $34,000 a year or less, filers with dependents who earned less than $60,000 a year, and filers who are self-employed with expenses of $5,000 or less. Borough President Adams and Grow Brooklyn encouraged eligible New Yorkers to file for free as well as to educate themselves on the tax code changes that will impact next year’s returns.
“Community partners like Grow Brooklyn are more important than ever in our pursuit to put hard-earned dollars and cents back in taxpayers’ wallets, especially as the looming burden of last month’s federal tax law looms large for hard-working families across our borough,” said Borough President Adams. “We cannot afford to leave resources like EITC and free tax preparation services on the table. This program, in addition to my administration’s longstanding commitment to financial education, can make a difference.”
“Grow Brooklyn is excited to offer free tax prep services at nine Brooklyn locations,” said Samira Rajan, executive director of Grow Brooklyn, Inc. “These services are not only vital because they are free of charge, but also because they allow low- to middle-income individuals and families to take advantage of their full tax refund and earned tax credits. We look forward to providing high-quality service to our community.”
The VITA program at Brooklyn Borough Hall is also offering both in-person tax preparation and facilitated self-assistance appointments from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 7th; Thursday, February 8th; Monday, February 12th; Monday, February 19th; Wednesday, March 7th; Thursday, March 8th; Monday, March 12th; Monday, March 26th; Tuesday, March 27th; Wednesday, April 4th, and Thursday, April 5th. Additionally, there will be availability from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 14th; Monday, February 26th; Tuesday, February 27th; Thursday, March 15th; Monday, April 9th; Tuesday, April 10th, and Monday, April 16th. Appointments are necessary, and those seeking more information are asked to call (347) 682-5606 or visit growbrooklyn.org.
Filers should bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or IDNYC; Social Security Numbers (SSNs) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), and birth dates for themselves and all individuals on their return; all relevant tax forms (W-2, 1099-R, etc.), or expense and income records for those who are self-employed; their 2016 tax return, if available; proof of health insurance coverage or Health Insurance Exemption Certificate for the records of cash and non-cash charitable contributions; documentation of higher education expenses; child care expenses and provider information, as well as bank account numbers and routing numbers for direct deposit of tax refunds. Both spouses must be present for those filing joint returns.
Nationwide, during 2017, more than 25.8 million eligible workers and families received about $63.8 billion in EITC, on average taking back $2,470. With around 325,000 returns claiming the EITC in 2015, according to the IRS and Brookings Institution, Kings County had more residents claiming the credit than any other county in New York State and was amongst the highest in the nation. For 2018, the maximum EITC amount available is $6,444 for taxpayers filing jointly who have three or more qualifying children.
Building on past success, Grow Brooklyn partnered with several local organizations across Brooklyn to extend the reach of the program. As a result, this year’s efforts are expected to prepare 8,000 free tax returns for Brooklynites. Additionally, for the first time, Grow Brooklyn will also be offering the Facilitated Self Assistance option at some locations. Filers choosing this option will have access to a volunteer tax preparer if they need assistance in filing their return, but the volunteer will not enter your information into this type of tax return. Besides Brooklyn Borough Hall, Grow Brooklyn operates local sites at St. John’s Bread & Life in Bedford-Stuyvesant, APNA Brooklyn Community Center in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn Coop Federal Credit Union in Bushwick, Community Solutions in Brownsville, the office of Council Member Stephen T. Levin in Downtown Brooklyn, Mixteca and the office of Council Member Carlos Menchaca in Sunset Park, as well as the office of Council Member Chaim Deutsch in Sheepshead Bay. This IRS-certified service is available thanks to a partnership of Grow Brooklyn, the IRS, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), and Single Stop (powered by FedCap).
Brooklyn Borough Hall is one of more than 200 NYC Free Tax Prep sites citywide, where returns can be prepared in-person by an IRS-certified VITA/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparer or dropped off to be completed by the preparer. At the convenient drop-off sites, filers can drop off their tax documents and return later to pick up the completed return or receive it by email. New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/taxprep and use DCA’s interactive map to search for the most convenient free tax site; they can also text “Taxes” to 42033 (message and data rates may apply) to find the nearest location as well as receive tax season updates and reminders.
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