Free Tax Prep Available For Those Making Less than $59,187 Per Year

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Tax time is just weeks away, but you don't have to stress. Instead, get tax advice from the experts — for free.

With income taxes due on April 18, it's good to know that the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) has a "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance" (VITA) Program available at locations throughout Westchester for working families and those earning less than $59,187 a year.

The VITA program, which runs from now until tax day, 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.

"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," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. "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."

The program is made possible through a collaboration of partners who coordinate the day-to-day appointments and operations, including 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.

"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," Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said of the service. "We thank all the IRS certified volunteers for their time and talent."

To make an appointment, call 211 or 1-800-899-1479 for one of the six locations listed below.

Free Tax Prep Locations
White Plains Career Center, 120 Bloomingdale Road, 2nd Floor, White Plains
Dates/Times: until April 18 | Tuesday & Thursday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | last open appt 6 p.m.

• Appointments Only
• English & Spanish
• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry Campus
555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry
Victory Hall, Room 100 | Formerly Our Lady of Victory HS
Dates/Times: Saturdays: until April 15 | 9:30 a.m. –3 p.m. | last open appt 2 p.m.

• Appointments and Walk-ins
• English & Spanish
• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

Mercy College, Bronx Campus
1200 Waters Place (1st Floor, Room 1344), Bronx
Dates/Times: Fridays: until April 14 | 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. | last open appt 4:30 p.m.

• 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
Dates/Times: until April 17
Mondays, Wednesday & Friday: 10 a.m. –5 p.m. | last open appt 4 p.m.

• Appointments Only
• English & Spanish
• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

Ossining High School, Room 202
29 South Highland Avenue, Ossining
Dates/Times: until April 17; Closed: Feb. 20, March 13, April 3, and April 10
Mondays: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. | last open appt 7 p.m.

• Appointments and Walk-ins
• English and Spanish
• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

Westchester Community College (Gateway Center)
75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla
Dates/Times: umtil April 17
Mon. & Wed.: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | last open appt 4 p.m.
Last Day: April 17 | last open appt 4 p.m.

• English and Spanish
• Appointments only for students, families, and alumni. Visitors must check in at the Visitors’ Check-in Desk in the Gateway Center Lobby.
• Site reserves the right to require a mask due to COVID

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:

• $53,057 ($59,187 if Married Filing Jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $49,399 ($55,529 if Married Filing Jointly) with two qualifying children
• $43,492 ($49,622 if Married Filing Jointly) with one qualifying child
• $16,480 ($22,610 if Married Filing Jointly) with no qualifying child

The maximum EITC for 2022:

• $6,935 with three or more qualifying children
• $6,164 with two qualifying children
• $3,733 with one qualifying child
• $560 with no qualifying child

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free Tax Prep program is a national initiative sponsored by the IRS and the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to help low- and moderate-income residents qualify for federal and state earned income tax credits (EITC).

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 the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board website.