City Council/ERDA Partnership has resulted in New Yorkers receiving $17 million in tax returns;
Average eligible worker receives $1,427 in returns

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS— Today, Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Bishop Mitchell Taylor of the East River Development Alliance (ERDA) were joined by Senator Michael Gianaris, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and the New York Immigration Coalition to encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of ERDA’s free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) at one of their six sites throughout the city. This year, individuals applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are now eligible for the EITC for the first time. Additionally, U.S. citizen children – regardless of their parents’ immigration status – applying for financial aid for college will need proof of their family’s income, and ERDA will help eligible families secure all the necessary documents to make college more financially accessible for children of working families. The City Council has provided funds to the East River Development Alliance since its inception in 2005.

ERDA & City Council Partnership:
Since 2005:
– 10,000 tax returns completed
– $17 million back to communities
o Nearly HALF of the returns in the form of the EITC.
Average Return: $1,427

2011 Tax Year:
1,640 tax returns:
Total returned to taxpayers: $1,952,593
– EITC (Earn Income Tax Credit): $967,209

2012 Tax Year to Date:
2,245 tax returns:
Total returned to taxpayers – $2,268,839
– EITC (Earn Income Tax Credit): $1,137,025

These free services enable qualified working families and individuals to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefit – which provides a particularly important lifeline in tough economic times. Typically, any family with children who have a 2012 income of less than $50,000 and single filers making less than $18,000 qualify for the EITC. These low-income workers can access up to $5,891 in their federal income tax refunds, plus additional allocations from the NYS and NYC EITC. Last year, on average, the federal credit boosted refunds for eligible workers by $2,200 nationally.

“With one week to go before taxes are due, more eligible New Yorkers should be taking advantage of ERDA’s free tax preparation services,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Families have seen thousands of dollars in tax returns, whether it goes into a college fund or is used to put food on the table for your family, that money received and the money saved by using ERDA’s free services provide New Yorkers with more opportunity. I want to thank Bishop Taylor and ERDA for their work through the years.”

“Our goal is not just to provide free, expert tax preparation services but also to connect people to ongoing financial planning and mainstream financial services,” said Bishop Mitchell Taylor. “Many people who come to us for tax prep also receive financial counseling. This is what empowerment is all about. Giving people the tools and resources they need to help themselves.”

“Income tax assistance, and access to the Earned Income Tax Credit, can be a lifeline for low-income New York families -EITC has proven to reduce child poverty rates and improve school achievement,” said Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. “Immigrants can and do pay taxes–and even without a Social Security number they can do so with an ITIN. Immigrant communities are at a turning point; thousands of New York youth have obtained Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, making them eligible for EITC and allowing them to enter the formal economy. And the prospects for immigration reform have never been greater. We’re pleased to join with Speaker Quinn, ERDA and the others here today, to get the word out to immigrant families that tax help is available, that they can claim significant refunds through the EITC, and that those seeking a path to citizenship can start on that journey today by filing their taxes.”

“With the April 15th tax deadline just a week away, I applaud the East River Development Alliance and Bishop Taylor for all they do for our community,” said Senator Michael Gianaris. “By helping people in need recover $2.5 million in overpaid taxes, ERDA once again proves that a community-based organization can make a difference when it comes to providing economic assistance to our neighborhoods. I urge all eligible residents to take advantage of this program.”

“I applaud the excellent work of my friend, Bishop Taylor, ERDA, and the IRS-certified volunteers who provide an invaluable service to my constituents throughout tax season,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. “For working and middle class families in New York City, every dollar counts. Taking advantage of tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, enables financial planning for families all year long. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a vital service for people who may not know they are entitled to these credits, and do not have the resources to hire a tax professional – and they can get this help for FREE. The VITA program ensures millions of dollars of savings for hard-working families that will help them pay for child care, housing and other expenses.”

“I encourage all Queens Residents to take advantage of the many tax preparation programs offered including the one offered by ERDA” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan. “ERDA offers many programs that will assist residents to complete their federal and state tax returns.”

“Each year, ERDA helps public housing residents get back over a million dollars in returns,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “By keeping the community at the heart of its services, ERDA has become a prime example of a local institution which empowers its community by both educating its residents and offering programs that matter when it comes to improving the fabric of the neighborhood. Maximizing the amount of money people receive is at the heart of this invaluable program – and it’s all FREE. Every dollar counts.”

“In this economic climate, every dollar counts and people need all the financial help they can get,” said Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr. “The extra money residents will get back because of the help provided by ERDA will go a long way towards improving their quality of life. I want to thank ERDA for all their hard work and congratulate them on another successful tax season.”

“During this Tax Season, we had the pleasure of working together with ERDA to provide a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at our office,” said Assemblyman Ron Kim. “Our office’s VITA site served over 800 New Yorkers this year. These numbers demonstrate the need from our community for this service. We started receiving phone calls from the first day we were open asking us if we would be providing a VITA site this year. This is a huge indicator that VITA Tax services should continue and expand. Providing a VITA site is a clear way to connect people to financial services and long term financial planning. For example, ERDA’s volunteers were able to guide several of our constituents who qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to apply. This puts money back into the pockets of working families during these hard economic times. I am so proud of our partnership with ERDA and I highly encourage people to take advantage of the last week of services before April 15th.”

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