The VITA Free Tax Prep Program is Temporarily Suspended
The VITA Free Tax Prep Program has been suspended in Westchester, NY until April 30th. If the social distancing mandate is lifted, onsite tax prep is planned to resume on May 1st. in the meantime, tax filers who feel comfortable are encouraged to use the tax assisted resource www.myfreetaxes.com. The new filing deadline is July 15, 2020. More information will be posted at the end of April.
Jan. 24, 2020 -- 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 11:30 a.m. 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.
The VITA program, which will run Feb. 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 percent of refunds are then spent locally, which generates local sales, wages and jobs, ultimately boosting the local economy.”
Call 211 or (800) 899-1479 to make an appointment, or visit one of nine locations listed on the flier. (Lea le volante en español.)
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).
VITA Free Tax Prep Program Runs from Feb. 1 through April 15
Volunteer tax preparer and Spanish translator assistance runs from Feb. 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
Feb. 1– April 14, 2020
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., the last open appointment at 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., the last open appointment at noon
Languages: English, Spanish
Last Day: April 14, the last open appointment 6 p.m.
Appointments and walk-ins
WestCOP White Plains CAP
70 Ferris Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
Feb. 7 to April 10, 2020
Fridays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., last open appointment at 4 p.m.
Languages: English and Spanish
Appointments only
Dobbs Ferry
Mercy College, 555 Broadway, Victory Hall, Room 100 (formerly Our Lady of Victory HS)
Saturdays: Feb. 8 to April 11, 2020
Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., last open appointment 2 p.m.
Note: Site not in operation March 30
Sundays: Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3, March 10 and March 17
Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Languages: English and Spanish
Last Day: April 11, last open appointment 2 p.m.
Appointments only
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon Career Center, 130 Mount Vernon Avenue
Feb.5 – April 15, 2020
Wednesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m., last open appointment 4 p.m.
Languages: English
Last Day: April 15, last open appointment 4 p.m.
Appointments and walk-ins
Valhalla
Westchester Community College Gateway Center, 75 Grassland Road, Gateway Building across from parking lot #1.
Feb. 3 – April 15, 2019
Mondays and Wednesdays: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m., last open appointment 4 p.m.
Languages: English, Spanish
Note: Walk-ins are for WCC students only
Last Day: April 15, last open appointment 4 p.m.
English and Spanish
Appointments and walk-ins for WCC students only
Open during winter break March 9–15th
Yonkers
SUNY Westchester Educational Opportunity Center, 26 South Broadway
Feb. 4 – April 14, 2020
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Noon – 8 p.m., last open appointment 7p.m.
Winter Break Dates: Feb. 17 - 21 and April 6 - 10
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., last appointment 3 p.m.
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointments and Walk-ins
Yonkers Riverfront Library
One Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY 10701
Feb. 3 – April 13, 2020
Mondays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last open appointment 4 p.m.
English and Spanish
Last Day: April 13, last open appointment 4 p.m.
Appointments and walk-ins
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 p.m.
Note: Site is not in operation Feb.15 or March 29
Languages: English, Spanish
Last Day: April 12 | last open appointment 4 p.m.
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 p.m.
Note: Site is not in operation Feb.15 or March 29
Languages: English, Spanish
Last Day: April 12 | last open appointment 4 p.m.
Ossining:
IFCA Housing Network, 138 Spring Street, Ossining, NY 10562
Dates and Times: Feb. 3 - April 15
Monday - Saturday: Noon – 3 p.m.
Ossining High School
Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday: 1 – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Last Day: April 8
Appointment only
To make an appointment call (914) 941-5252
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
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
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