Senator Comrie Announces EITC Awareness Day and Free Tax Assistance

Senator Comrie Announces EITC Awareness Day and Free Tax Assistance

(Queens, NY) Senator Leroy Comrie (D-Hollis) announced that January 30th, 2015, marks Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day, a nationwide effort to increase awareness about EITC and free tax preparation sites. Last year, more than 1.8 million low to moderate income New Yorkers received $4.1 billion in EITC refunds.

"The average Earned Income Tax Credit refund in New York is $2,300 -- hard earned dollars our families should be keeping in their pockets," said Senator Comrie. "Last year an estimated 1 out of 5 workers didn't claim the EITC they earned and deserved. I strongly encourage our hard working residents to determine if they qualify for EITC and free tax preparation to take advantage of this important benefit."

New Yorkers are able to find out if they are eligible using the EITC Assistant, available in both English and Spanish. Visit www.irs.gov/eitc to learn more and use the Assistant.

The Assistant helps you:

• find your filing status
• find out if you have a qualifying child or children
• verify if you are eligible for EITC
• estimate the amount of your credit

If a New Yorker earns less than $52,427, they qualify for free tax return preparation through volunteer sites. IRS-certified volunteers will prepare applicants' tax returns and find out if they qualify for EITC and other refundable credits. Find a location for free tax return preparation here. 

One such site is York College, which offers tax preparation to low income, disabled and elderly members of the community, completely free of charge. The Volunteer Tax Income Assistance Program provides services including e-filing and direct deposit, and is operated in the 4G Wing of York College, located at:

94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard
Jamaica, New York 11451

For more information, visit their website here.

Individuals will need to bring the following to their preparer:

• A valid driver's license or other photo ID card
• Social security cards, a social security number verification letter or the ITIN (individual taxpayer identifying number) for all persons listed on the return
• Birth dates for all persons listed on the return
• All income statements: W-2 and 1099 forms, Social Security, unemployment and other statements, such as pensions, stocks, interest and any documents showing taxes withheld. If you run a business or farm, records of all income earned
• All records of expenses, such as tuition, mortgage interests or real estate taxes, and, if you own a business or farm, records of all related expenses
• Copies of last year's state and federal tax returns, if available
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund
• Dependent child care information: name and address of who you paid and either the caretaker's SSN or other tax identification numbers
• Both spouses to sign forms to e-file (electronically file) a joint tax return

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