While most people cringe at the idea of filing taxes, it doesn’t need to be something that gives you stress. The filing deadline to submit your taxes this year is Tuesday, April 18th, 2017. If you didn’t file earlier this year, there is still plenty of time to get your taxes in order and submit by the deadline. One of the things that stresses people out the most about taxes is doing them correctly and/or paying to make sure they’re done properly. Thanks to Brooklyn Community Board 14, we’ve got a ton of suggestions as to where you can get free tax preparation assistance.

There are quite a few local resources available in Brooklyn to help you successfully prepare and submit your taxes at no cost to you. Here are some of the resources you can utilize to make tax-time a little easier:

NYC Free Tax Prep:  New Yorkers who earned $64,000 or less in 2016 may qualify for FREE TAX PREP services, including online filing at nyc.gov/taxprep and in-person filing with a certified preparer. For more information, go to nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 and ask for tax preparation assistance.

NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has many resources available for free tax preparation help for New York city residents. CLICK HERE to visit their website where they offer information about online filing, citywide tax preparation events and more. NYC Free Tax Prep sites are operated by community-based organizations in partnership with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). For most sites, income of $54,000 or less in 2016. There are more than 200 NYC Free Tax Prep sites in all five boroughs. CLICK HERE to view a map with free tax preparation sites.

Community Tax Aid, Inc (CTA) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization which has been preparing tax returns FREE for low-income taxpayers since 1969. CTA is dedicated to providing all services (federal, state, and city personal income tax forms) with the special needs of and benefits for low income taxpayers in mind. For assistance, please visit IMPACCT Brooklyn (formerly Pratt Area Community Council)  on Saturdays, 10 AM – 1 PM. Tax Preparation will be offered between February 11th through April 15th.  IMPACCT is located at 226 Lefferts Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (@ Franklin Avenue) No appointment is necessary. For more information, call 646-200-5080 or email generalinfo@communitytaxaidnyc.org.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) – Flatbush YMCA & Flatbush Library – The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to the low- to moderate-income population (generally $35,000 and below for individuals, and $65,000 and below for families), the elderly & the disabled who most need tax assistance and cannot afford the services of a paid tax preparer between the dates of Feb. 11 – Apr. 15, 2017. Service is available at the Flatbush Library (22 Linden Boulevard at Flatbush Avenue) on Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  and also at the Flatbush YMCA (1401 Flatbush Avenue) on both Fridays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Call 718.951.5098 for more information.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) at Touro College – The Lander College of Arts and Sciences at Touro College in Flatbush (1602 Avenue J, corner of East 16th Street) offers free VITA tax preparation and electronic filing assistance from IRS-certified accounting students to families earning up to $54,000 annually. Services are offered free of charge on the following Sundays from 10 AM – 1 PM: Feb. 19, Feb. 26, Mar. 5, Mar. 19, Mar. 26, Apr. 2 & Apr. 9. Call 718-252-7800 x. 59286 for more information.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) at Borough Hall – Grow Brooklyn is offering free tax preparation assistance to families making up to $55,000 annually. Services will be offered on the following dates, Fridays, February 17th & February 24th, 5 – 8 PM; Thursdays, March 16th, March 23rd, April 6th, April 13th, 10 AM – 4 PM; Monday, April 17th, 5 – 8 PM. Applicants should bring documents to Brooklyn Borough Hall located at 209 Joralemon Street in downtown Brooklyn. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (347) 682-5606.

Free Tax Services at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation – Services include Free tax preparation for those earning less than $64,ooo/annually from Tue, January 24, 2017 to Tue, April 18, 2017 in person with a tax preparer, virtually with one of our counselors, or self-assisted. Other opportunities include access to banks to set up a bank account or access any other services, free financial counseling & credit report, career advancement & employment opportunities earning $15 to $35 per hour, access to free resources such as HSE training, vocational training (i.e. security, food), public assistance, health insurance, youth services, business services and more. Services are provided at Restoration Plaza (Walk-in and by appointment) located at 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY. In-person hours (with tax preparer, walk in only): Tue – Thu from 12 pm to 7 pm & Sat from 9 am to 4 pm; Self-prep (computer lab, walk in only) Mon to Fri from 11 am to 6 pm; Virtual (with counselor) By appointment only.  For more information, click here to see flyer or contact customer service at (718) 636-6994 or services@restorationplaza.org. 

For more tax preparation assistance from Community Board 14, check out the full article.