Free Tax Preparation Help Underway

When tax season rolls around, some people rush to get their refunds back, while others dread the very thought of sitting down to the paperwork.

Starting Monday, free help is available to certain Westchester residents until the April 15 deadline to file taxes.

The county is offering free tax preparation to all residents within certain income limits. According to Pat Anderson, director of client services for the United Way's 2-1-1 Hudson Valley Region, residents with dependents must earn $49,000 or less annually to qualify for the county's free service.

Adults without dependents must be between the ages of 25 and 65 and earn less than $18,000, according to Anderson. While the service isn't being offered at any sites in Harrison, residents can visit sites in White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Ossing and Peekskill.

"Appointments are advisable. You can walk-in however you might wait for awhile," Anderson said.

Last year, the county's free tax preparation service helped 5,256 residents get income tax refunds of about $5.7 million according to a press release.

Residents who don't meet the county's income requirements for free tax preparation have other local resources available to them.

The AARP is offering tax-aide services in Westchester as well, but no sites are located in Harrison. Instead, Harrison residents can travel to any of the 17 sites located nearby including the New Rochelle Public Library, the Eastchester Public Library and Port Chester Public Library.

Although the AARP's program gives special attention to people aged 60 and older, it's open to all low and moderate income tax filers.

Anderson said the county's services only extend to the simple form, not the itemized form. The AARP's tax-aide volunteers are trained to assist with filing the 1040 form. Taxpayers with more complex tax returns are advised to seek paid tax assistance.

The county's free tax service initiative is a collaboration of the following county departments and community organizations: TD Bank, Office of the County Executive; the departments of Social Services, Consumer Protection, and Senior Programs and Services; Educational Opportunity Center of Westchester, Westchester Chapter of the AARP,  Interfaith Council for Action, The College of Westchester,Westcop, Community Capital Resources, Westchester Community College, Pace Law School, The Volunteer Center, United Way's  2-1-1 Hudson Valley Region, Business Council of Westchester and the Westchester Hispanic Coalition.