Tax season is upon us and Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Central Islip) is reminding Suffolk County residents about the free tax preparation assistance that 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. “In these tough economic times, we need to make sure 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, which may add more than $1,000 to their refunds.” The following is a list of VITA centers: 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. 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. Brentwood Public Library
34 2nd Avenue
(631) 273-7883
Every Mon., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Central Islip Public Library
33 Hawthorne Avenue
(631) 234-9333
By appointment only 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.