How To Get Free Help With Your Taxes

Well, neighbors, whether we like it or not, time keeps trudging along – and that means, no matter how much we cry or scream or douse our tax man fears in one too many drinks at Sycamore and Bar Chord, the dreaded April 15 will soon be upon us.

If you still need to do your taxes but need a little help (and, really, who doesn’t?), you can get some free tax know-how at numerous sites throughout the area. Just be sure to note that there are various income requirements to be eligible to receive the help.

Central Library at Grand Army Plaza
Where: 10 Grand Army Plaza, room 216
When: January 26-April 15, 2015; Mondays from 10:30am-8pm (April 6 and April 13 start at 1:30pm); Wednesdays from 1:30pm-8pm; Thursdays from 9:30am-5pm (March 19 starts at 12pm); and Sundays from 1pm-4:30pm (but there will be no help on April 5).
Requirements: You need to earn less than $60,000 per tax return, have a valid email address and basic computer skills, and bring all your relevant tax documents to the site.
More information: Visit the library’s website here.

Comunity Tax Aid, Inc. at Flatbush Reformed Church
Where: 890 Flatbush Avenue, at the corner of Church Avenue
When: Saturdays from 10am-2pm through April 11. Walk-in only.
Requirements: You must make less than $25,000 as an individual or $50,000 as a family and you have less than $3,150 in interest, dividends and/or capital gains. You’ll need to bring: a copy of last year’s tax return (or the last tax return you filed); all W-2 and/or 1099 forms and any other income information; including Social Security and SSI; forms or notices you received from the IRS, New York State, New York City, or any other tax authority; Social Security cards for yourself and all household members; bank account number and routing number for direct deposit of any refund; amount of medical expenses, including cost of insurance, real estate taxes paid, casualty losses, and charitable contributions; expense information and records if you’re self employed; health insurance information for you and your dependents (children or parents if you support them, for example).
More information: Call 646-200-5080.

NYC Department of Consumer Affairs at CAMBA
Where: 885 Flatbush Avenue, room 201
When: January 26 through April 15. By appointment only. Mondays 1pm-4pm; Thursday 10am-1pm.
Requirements: You must make $53,000 or less to use this service. Again, bring all of your tax documents. To make an appointment – which you have to do – call 718-287-0010.

Brooklyn College Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at the Flatbush YMCA
Where: Flatbush YMCA, 1401 Flatbush Avenue
When: Fridays and Sundays from 10am-6pm
Requirements: You must make less than $18,000 as an individual or less than $53,000 as a family. Bring your tax documents, as well as picture identification. To schedule an appointment, call 718-951-5098.

Brooklyn College Volunteer Income Tax Assistance at the Flatbush Public Library
Where: 22 Linden Boulevard
When: Saturdays from 10am-3:30pm
Requirements: You must make less than $18,000 as an individual or less than $53,000 as a family. Bring your tax documents, as well as picture identification. To schedule an appointment, call 718-951-5098.

For more information about filing your taxes, you can visit Community Board 14’s helpful guide here or the city Department of Consumer Affairs’ website here. To see a complete listing of the DCA’s free tax prep sites in the city, you can go here.