Personal Finance
Free Tax Prep Available Through April 15 Across Westchester
The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board will host an IRS endorsed "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance" (VITA) Program Kickoff on 2/5
Free Tax Prep for Working Families and Individuals Making Less than $56,000 a Year Program runs from February 1 through April 15
The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) will host an IRS endorsed “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” (VITA) Program Kickoff event on Wednesday, February 5, at 11:30am at the Mount Vernon Career Center, 130 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY.
The kickoff launches an educational campaign to increase awareness to eligible Westchester County residents about the free tax prep assistance available, and the qualifications to receive federal tax credits designed to help low income taxpayers making less than $56,000 a year.
Find out what's happening in White Plainsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The VITA program, which will run February 1 to April 15 at nine locations (see below), helps low- and moderate-income individuals and families eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) file their taxes for free, including people with disabilities, senior citizens, and those for whom English is a second language. To make sure the program delivers maximum benefits, VITA relies on dedicated volunteers to act as greeters, assist with translation and call-center operations. Tax preparation is done by IRS-certified volunteers with all locations offering FREE electronic filing.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer stated, “We are committed to helping our residents take advantage of all the tax credits for which they are eligible. The VITA program not only assists working families and individuals, but also increases tax dollars in the County. It is estimated that about 80% of refunds are then spent locally, which generates local sales, wages and jobs, ultimately boosting the local economy.”
Find out what's happening in White Plainsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit available to working families and individuals with modest incomes. Many eligible Westchester residents are not aware of the credit and therefore do not claim it. Maximum credits depend on income, marital status and number of dependents. Each year New York State sets threshold limits at the beginning of the tax preparation season (see below for 2019 limits).
Call 211 or 1-800-899-1479 to make an appointment and/or visit one of nine locations listed.
VITA Free Tax Prep Program Runs from February 1 through April 15
Volunteer tax preparer and Spanish translator assistance runs from February 1 through April 15 and is available at the sites below. The last appointment dates are listed by each location. Call 211 or (800) 899-1479 to make an appointment at one of the Westchester County VITA/EITC Tax Assistance locations.
Free Tax Prep Locations
White Plains
White Plains Career Center, 120 Bloomingdale Road, 2nd Floor
Dates/Times: February 1 to April 14 | Tuesday & Thursday: 11am–7pm | last open appt 6pm
Saturday 9am–1pm | last open appt 12pm
English and Spanish | Appointments and Walk-ins
Last Day: April 14 | last open appt 6pm
WestCOP White Plains CAP
70 Ferris Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
Dates/Times: February 7 to April 10 | Fridays: 9am–5pm | last open appt 4pm
English and Spanish | Appointments only
Dobbs Ferry:
Mercy College, 555 Broadway, Victory Hall, Room 100 (formerly Our Lady of Victory HS)
Dates/Times: Saturdays, February 8 to April 11 | 9:30am–3:00pm | last open appt 2:00pm
Sundays: February 23 to March 22 | 9:30am–1pm | last open appt 12pm
English and Spanish | Appointments only
Last Day: April 11 | last open appt 2:00pm
Mount Vernon:
Mount Vernon Career Center, 130 Mount Vernon Avenue
Dates/Times: February 5 to April 15 | Wednesday & Friday: 9am–5pm | last open appt 4pm
Appointments and Walk-ins
Last Day: April 15 | last open appt 4pm
Valhalla:
Westchester Community College Gateway Center, 75 Grassland Road, Gateway Building across from parking lot #1.
Dates/Times: February 3 to April 15 | Mon. & Wed.: 9am–5pm | last open appt 4pm
English and Spanish | Appointments & Walk-ins for WCC students only
Last Day: April 15 | last open appt 4pm
Open during winter break March 9–15th
Yonkers:
SUNY Westchester Educational Opportunity Center, 26 South Broadway
Dates/Times: February 4 to April 14 | Tuesday & Thursday: 12pm–8pm | last open appt 7pm
Winter Break Hours: Feb. 17–21 & April 6–10 | Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm | last appt 3pm
English and Spanish | Appointments and Walk-ins
Yonkers Riverfront Library
One Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701
Dates/Times: February 3 to April 13Mondays: 9am–5pm | last open appt 4pm
English and Spanish | Appointments and Walk-ins
Last Day: April 13 | last open appt 4pm
Bronx:
Mercy College Bronx Campus, 1200 Waters Place, 1st Floor, Room 1344
Fridays: 2/1, 2/8, 2/22, 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 4/5 and 4/12; Hours: 11 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Note: Site is not in operation 2/15 or 3/29
English and Spanish
Last Day: April 12 | last open appt 4pm
Ossining:
IFCA Housing Network, 138 Spring Street, Ossining, NY 10562
Dates/Times: February 3 to April 15 | Monday to Saturday: 12pm–3pm
Ossining High School
Dates/Times: Tues. 10am–3pm; Wed.1pm–5 pm; Thurs. 10am–3 pm; Fri. 1:30pm– 3:30pm
To make an appointment call: 914-941-5252
Last Day: April 8
Who Qualifies for EITC?
The potential maximum tax credit includes federal, state and New York City credits and depends on income, marital status and number of qualifying children in the household. Qualifying children can be a son, daughter, grandchild, adopted child, step child or foster child as long as the child is under 19 years of age, under the age of 24 if a full-time student, or be permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year. The child must have the same principal residence as the taxpayer for more than half the tax year and not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year.
Earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:
- $50,162 ($55,952 if Married Filing Jointly) with three or more qualifying children
- $46,703 ($52,493 if Married Filing Jointly) with two qualifying children
- $41,094 ($46,884 if Married Filing Jointly) with one qualifying child
- $15,570 ($21,370 if Married Filing Jointly) with no qualifying child
- $6,557 with three or more qualifying children
- $5,828 with two qualifying children
- $3,526 with one qualifying child
- $529 with no qualifying child
The maximum EITC for 2019:
- $6,557 with three or more qualifying children
- $5,828 with two qualifying children
- $3,526 with one qualifying child
- $529 with no qualifying child
THE WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (WPWDB) is comprised of leaders and staff of state and county government agencies, non-profits, public education, and the private sector who work together to strengthen the partnerships between business, education, and service providers within the “Career Center Network” to meet the needs for a skilled workforce. The WPWDB pursues funding opportunities and develops model programs and leading-edge practices. The “Network” is made up of four Career Centers (White Plains, Mount Vernon, Peekskill, and Carmel) as well as partner agencies that provide state-of-the-art technology, training, resources, and services to youth, adults and employers. For more information, visit www.westchesterputnamonestop.com.
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, The Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life. This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. Westchester is led by County Executive George Latimer, who took office in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. Learn more about Westchester County by visiting www.westchestergov.com
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