Free tax prep for working families program

The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) will kick-off its “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” (VITA) Program on Friday, Feb. 3, at multiple locations throughout Westchester. Residents must make an appointment by calling 211 or 1-800899-1479 to schedule an appointment at one of six locations listed below.

The VITA program, which runs Feb. 1 to April 18, 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, and assist with translation and call-center operations. Tax preparation is done by IRS-certified volunteers with FREE electronic filing.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer stated, “What started as a small program in 1969 to help the IRS increase taxpayer education has evolved into a critical resource for low- and moderate-income taxpayers. Today, the VITA program helps ensure accurate tax returns and equitable access to the tax code and its many benefits. VITA is designed to help working families and individuals, but also serves to boost the local economy as it’s estimated that about 80% of refunds are spent locally, generating sales, wages and jobs.”

Volunteer tax preparer and Spanish translator assistance runs from February 1 through April 18 and is available at the sites below. 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 Career Center, 120 Bloomingdale Road, 2nd Floor, White Plains, NY 10605

Dates/times: February 7 to April 18 | Tuesday & Thursday: 11am–7pm | last open appt 6pm

• Appointments Only

• English & Spanish

• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

• Last Day: April 18 | last open appt 6pm

Mercy College—Dobbs Ferry Campus

555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10591

Victory Hall, Room 100 | Formerly Our Lady of Victory HS

Dates/times: Saturdays: February 4 to April 15 | 9:30am–3:00pm | last open appt 2:00pm

Last Day: April 15 | last open appt 2:00pm

• Appointments and Walk-ins

• English & Spanish on women across the country. Despite nearly six in ten adults disapproving of the decision, and 62% of Americans agreeing that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, 26 states have banned or are expected to ban abortion in most circumstances. S.1066A represents an effort to counteract the Supreme Court’s disastrous decision, building upon protections provided in a package of laws the legislature passed last year, by explicitly addressing reproductive health services provided by licensed New York providers and physicians via telehealth, even when the patient is located outside of New York.

New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am proud that my bill, S.1066A, has passed the Senate. This legislation will protect reproductive health care providers by safeguarding them against any out-of-state interfer- ence –– allowing New York providers to be a resource for Americans who have had their rights stripped away. New York has been and continues to be a nationwide leader for reproductive rights. We will not forego or forget our sisters across state lines. I am honored to be a part of a state legislature that is so dedicated to its constituents and fellow Americans.”

Senator Mayer continued: “I am grateful for the tireless efforts and contributions from the medical community, advocacy community, Senate staff, and New Yorkers across the state who believe that every person has the right to receive safe and private care from our world-class practitioners living in New York. I especially want to thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblymember Karines Reyes for carrying this bill in the Assembly.”

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said: “We are proud to provide our hard-working residents access to free tax prep services they can trust and rely on right in their local community. We thank all the IRS certified volunteers for their time and talent.”

The program is delivered through a collaboration of partners who work diligently to coordinate the day-to-day appointments and operations—United Way 2-1-1, Volunteer NY, WestCOP, AARP, the IRS, Westchester County Government, Westchester Community College, Westchester Education Opportunity Center, Mercy College Westchester and Bronx Campus, Ossining High School, and the Westchester-Putnam Career Center Network. Call 211 or 1-800-899-1479 to make an appointment for one of the six locations listed.

VITA Free Tax Prep Program Runs from February 1 through April 18

• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

Mercy College Bronx Campus

1200 Waters Place (1st Floor, Room 1344), Bronx, NY

Dates/times: Fridays: February 3 to April 14 | 11:30am–5:30pm | last open appt 4:30pm

Last Day: April 14 | last open appt 4:30pm

• Appointment and Walk-ins

• English & Spanish

• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

Mount Vernon Career Center

130 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Dates/Times: February 1 to April 17

Mondays, Wednesday & Friday: see TAX 9