Free Tax Preparation for Bed-Stuy Residents

It’s tax season again. Did you know that in 2009, some 35,000 residents in Bedford-Stuyvesant were eligible for earned income tax credits, but only 25 percent of them actually claimed their tax credit?

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, in conjunction with the Food Bank of New York City, and the Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union (BCFCU) will provide free tax preparation services to residents in and around Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Last year, the Food Bank of New York City helped get New Yorkers more than $60 million they were owed.  Also, in Bed-Stuy alone, the BCFCU prepared 1588 returns, with $1.7 million in federal refunds and $756,000 in total EITC.

With three free tax preparation options on Fulton, coupled with a fee based H&R Block across the street, this is the first time that Bedford-Stuyvesant has been able to offer such a concentration of service to the community, eliminating the need to use any of the high cost commercial tax preparers.

A few tips for 2011 income-tax filers:

1.     Arrive early and come prepared. Lines are long, so remember to come early when sites open.

2.     You might be guaranteed a tax credit.  If you’ve earned less than $18,000 (or $50,000 with dependents) you may be entitled to Food Bank’s free IRS-certified tax preparation and eligible for tax credits and a refund.

3.     Consider all options. In addition to the various free VITA sites available this season, Restoration is also offering on-line tax preparation service where you can prepare and file your own taxes electronically for free with the help of our tax assistants. Filers must have a valid email address, basic computer knowledge and earn less than $48,000.

4.     Take advantage of other services.  Nonprofit tax sites provide you with other support for your family. While you wait patiently for your tax preparer, you might access other valuable resources at these nonprofit centers. Restoration has the capacity and is pleased to offer you banking services, free screening and access to benefits, job training and placement services, and private financial counseling at Restoration’s Financial Empowerment Center. Down the block at 1424 Fulton Street, the Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union also offers a range of banking products as well as consumer and business loans.

To find the site that is most convention to you throughout NYC, you should contact 311 or visit the city’s tax preparation website. But remember, these are locations right here in the neighborhood.

Brooklyn Coop Federal Credit Union VITA at Fulton Street
1424 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Subway: A or C to Kingston-Throop Avenue
Telephone: 212-505-3482
Hours of Operation: Thursday, 4pm-9pm; Friday, Noon-6pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm
Languages: English, Español

Food Bank for NYC - Restoration Plaza
1406 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Subway: A or C to Kingston-Throop Avenue
Telephone: 646-315-7703
Hours of Operation: Thursday and Friday, Noon-7pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm
Languages: English, Español, Other

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation - RITE Center
1368 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216
Subway: A or C to Kingston-Throop Avenue
Telephone: 718-636-6939
Hours of Operation: Thursday and Friday, Noon-7pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm