City Announces Free Tax Assistance

Tax issues are always natural panic-inducers, especially when the deadline to send returns to the Internal Revenue Service is closing in.
However, the city is providing New Yorkers with tools that can help relieve a little bit of the tension, through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
VITA is a program that offers free volunteer-based tax assistance. It is oriented to working families that make less money than $40,000 per year and individuals that make less than $20,000 per year.
The TCE sites, on the other hand, provide free tax assistance for people over the age of 60.
All volunteers that give their services to both programs are trained by the IRS. Also, all sites will have tax experts on hand to assist residents.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Federal, state and city governments are also offering the Earned Income Tax credit (EITC) plan, so that those workers who qualify can choose to participate on the spot. By applying for all three of these credits, you can receive up to $5,800 back when you file your taxes.
Your eligibility and amount of return depend on several factors, such as your filing status, income level, and the return of qualifying children or dependents you claim. Both families and individuals are eligible to receive the EITC.
However, there are specific characteristics that you must have in order to receive the EITC:
Income Requirements:
Families or individuals earning less than $11,490 ($12,490 for married filing jointly) with no children may receive up to $527.
Families earning less than $30,338 ($31,338 for married filing jointly) with no child may receive up to $3,515.
Families earning less than $34,458 ($35,458 for married filing jointly) with two children or more may receive up to $5,800.