One Brooklyn
February 11, 2020
BROOKLYN, NY, February 11, 2020: For the fourth year in a row, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, in partnership with Grow Brooklyn, is proud to announce a new season of NYC Free Tax Prep services to ensure New Yorkers are well prepared to file their taxes and claim their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Now in its 17th year as the largest non-paid tax preparer in the borough, Grow Brooklyn is recognizing Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day by once again partnering with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President on a new season of NYC Free Tax Prep services at Brooklyn Borough Hall. From now until April 14, 2020, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer preparers can help eligible residents, including single filers who earned $45,000 a year or less, filers with dependents who earned less than $64,000 a year, and filers who are self-employed with expenses of $5,000 or less, file for free.
Borough President Adams and Grow Brooklyn encourage 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.
“With tax season upon us for 2020, we must ensure all Brooklynites are prepared, and Brooklyn Borough Hall is proud to continue its partnership with Grow Brooklyn to help taxpayers,” said Borough President Adams. “This program, in addition to my administration’s longstanding commitment to financial education, will help Brooklynites save their hard-earned dollars. We encourage everyone who is eligible to take advantage of these services.”
“Grow Brooklyn is excited to offer free tax prep services at 15 Brooklyn locations: two in the Lower East Side, and one in Jackson Heights, Queens,” said Grow Brooklyn Executive Director Samira Rajan. “These services are not only vital because they are free of charge, but also because they allow individuals and families with low- to middle-incomes to take advantage of their full tax refund and earned income tax credits. We look forward to another successful season providing high-quality service to our community.”
“Since 2014, we have helped New Yorkers file more than 700,000 returns for free and claim refund-boosting tax credits that can be pivotal in helping them pay bills, reduce debt, and save for their future,” said New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP, formerly the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs [DCA]) Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “I am excited to continue expanding NYC Free Tax Prep this year and help connect even more New Yorkers with our trusted and professional tax prep services to help ease the financial stress and frustration that is often experienced during tax season. We thank all of our amazing tax season partners like Grow Brooklyn and Borough President Adams for all of their work helping New Yorkers to keep every penny of their hard-earned refunds.”
The NYC Free Tax Prep program at Brooklyn Borough Hall is also offering both in-person tax preparation and facilitated self-assistance appointments from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM every Tuesday and Thursday from February 11th to April 14th. Appointments are necessary, and those seeking more information are asked to call (347) 682-5606 or visit growbrooklyn.org/freetaxes.
Filers should bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or IDNYC; original Social Security Numbers (SSNs) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) (copies of these documents are not acceptable), and birth certificates 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 2019 tax return, if available; proof of health insurance coverage or Health Insurance Exemption Certificate; documentation of higher education expenses; child care expenses and provider information, your most recent IRS IP PIN if you were assigned one due to tax-related identity theft, 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.
According to the IRS, those at risk of missing out on earned refunds include veterans, Native Americans, individuals with limited English skills, people with disabilities, and those living in rural areas. Nationwide, during 2019, more than 25 million eligible workers and families received about $63.8 billion in EITC, on average taking back $2,476. 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 2019, the maximum EITC amount available is $6,557 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 see 8,000 free tax returns prepared for Brooklynites. Additionally, Grow Brooklyn will also be offering the drop-off option at some locations. Through the drop-off option, filers who meet the requirements can leave their documents with qualified intake specialists who will copy and return documents to filers. The tax returns will be prepared and reviewed for accuracy by IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteers. With the drop-off method, there is minimal wait time at the tax site; taxes are prepared and reviewed off-site, then returned to filers within a week. 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, Brownsville Partnership in Brownsville, NYCH+H Kings County Hospital, the office of State Senator Zellor Myrie in Flatbush, YWCA in Downtown Brooklyn, the office of State Senator Andrew Gounardes in Bay Ridge, the office of Council Member Justin Brannan in Bay Ridge, as well as the office of Council Member Chaim Deutsch in Sheepshead Bay, and additional locations. This IRS-certified service is available thanks to a partnership of Grow Brooklyn, the IRS, DCWP, 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 DCWP’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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