Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro urges eligible Staten Islanders to claim valuable “Earned Income Tax Credit”
Free assistance at eight Island locations and the IRS office at Borough Hall
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today kicked off “Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day” by urging eligible Staten Islanders to file for the valuable tax break, which can result in a credit and possible payment of up to $5,000.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is the federal government’s largest program benefiting lower-earning workers. “EITC Awareness Day” on January 30th is a nationwide effort to increase public awareness of the important tax credit and free tax preparation sites.
“Staten Islanders need to know that there’s a way to get help with their taxes and up to $5,000 back into their pockets,” said Molinaro. “The Earned Income Tax Credit can boost both a family’s available income and the local economy. The current economic situation makes it even more imperative that we reach out to those people who may be newly eligible for this valuable tax credit because of unemployment or other changes in their financial, marital or parental status during the past year.”
The IRS estimates that 20 to 25 percent of eligible taxpayers fail to claim the credit which could put as much as $4,824 into the pockets of a family with two children, or send as much as $2,917 to a family with one child, or up to $438 for a worker with no children.
“The extra dollars eligible taxpayers can get through EITC can make their lives a little easier,” said Molinaro, “but they must file tax returns, even if they aren’t required to file, and claim the credit to receive it.”
Taxpayers with earnings of or below $38,646 ($41,646 if married filing jointly) for families with two or more children; $33,995 ($36,995 married filing jointly) for families with one child or $12,880 ($15,880 married filing jointly) if there are no children should check to see if they qualify.
The EITC is a valuable but complex tax break. Free help is available to determine eligibility and file to claim the credit at Staten Island’s eight volunteer tax assistance sites:
* Food Bank of NY-Staten Island at SI Bank & Trust, 15 Hyatt Street, 3rd floor, Mon-Thu 12Noon-7:00 pm, Saturdays 9:00 am-5:00 pm
* Dongan Hills Public Library, 1617 Richmond Rd., Thursdays 12Noon-4:00pm
* Northfield Savings Bank, 2706 Hylan Blvd., Wed-Thu 10:00 am-2:00 pm
* Oakwood Heights Community Church, 345 Guyon Av., Tuesdays 11:30am-2:30pm
* Richmond County Savings Bank, 3879 Amboy Rd, Wed&Fri 10:00 am-2:00 pm
* Richmondtown Public Library, 200 Clarke Av., Mondays 11:00 am-3:00 pm
* Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd., Mondays 11:00 am-3:00 pm
* West Brighton Public Library, 976 Castleton Av., Tue-Wed. 12:30 pm-4:00pm
For those who cannot visit a site during hours/days of operation, free help is also available at the local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center on the fourth floor of Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
People should come prepared with the following items:
* Valid driver's license or photo identification (self & spouse, if applicable)
* Social Security cards for all persons listed on the return
* Dates of birth for all persons listed on the return
* All income statements: Forms W-2, 1099, Social Security, Unemployment, or other benefits statements, self-employment records and any documents showing taxes withheld
* Dependent child care information: payee’s name, address and SSN or TIN
* Proof of account at financial institution for direct debit or deposit (i.e. cancelled/ voided check or bank statement)
* Prior year tax return (if available)
* Any other pertinent documents or papers
To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
For more information, contact the Borough President’s Helpline at 718-816-2000 or visit www.StatenIslandUSA.com.
January 29, 2009