With the April 15 deadline fast approaching, Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Central Islip) wants to remind Islip residents free tax preparation assistance may be available to them through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the IRS. Families with an annual income of $42,000 or less can have their tax return completed free of charge at a local VITA site. “Now more than ever we need to make sure Islip working families get all the help available to them,” Ramos said. “The VITA program presents a great money-saving opportunity and it will also help families realize any tax credits they may be eligible for, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.” The following VITA centers are located in Islip: Bethpage Federal Credit Union (Bay Shore)
591 East Main Street
Every Wed., 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. and every Sat., 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Brentwood Public Library
34 2nd Avenue
(631) 273-7883
Every Sat., 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
SITE CLOSES: 4/11/2009 Central Islip Public Library
33 Hawthorne Avenue
(631) 234-9333
Every Sun., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
SITE CLOSES: 4/12/2009 Bethpage Federal Credit Union (Central Islip)
233 South Research Place
Every Wed., 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and every Sat., 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Suffolk County Department of Labor
725 Veterans Memorial Highway,
Building 17 North County Complex
(631) 853-6544
By appointment only Mon. through Fri. For more information about VITA, visit www.otda.state.ny.us/main/reform/vita.htm. Islip families can also breathe a little easier now that Ramos successfully fought to eliminate a number of the governor’s proposed nuisance taxes, including sales taxes on clothing, movie tickets and music downloads. “It’s unthinkable to ask any more of middle-class families and seniors on fixed incomes when they’re already fighting to keep afloat,” Ramos said. “We can’t balance the budget on the backs of New Yorkers who are scraping to get by. As we close in on a final budget, I’ll continue rejecting harmful proposals like this one while working to find alternatives we can all live with.”