Consumer Affairs Hosts Tax Prep Day in Partnership with NYS Senator Rivera and Food Bank For New York City

  Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Julie Menin, New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Food Bank For New York City Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Silvia Davi hosted a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Day to promote free tax preparation services available in the Bronx. During the event, tax filers had their tax returns prepared for free and learned about refundable tax credits that will put money back in their pockets such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and NYC Child Care Tax Credit (NYC CCTC). Tax filers who earn up to $53,000 are eligible to free tax preparation. A list of the more than 200 free tax preparation sites is available onnyc.gov/taxprep. 

  New York City is spending 3 million dollars to get the word out to taxpayers who are eligible for the Earned Income Credit, (and other tax credits) through agencies like the Food Bank at 120 full service sites. Silvia Davi (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer) of the Food Bank said 'Due to recent federal and other cuts to programs the equivalent of 56 million meals have been lost". 

  State Senator Gustavo Rivera said "1 in 5 NYC people who are eligible for the Earned Income Credit do not take advantage of the tax credit, which can average $2,500 dollars and up to $10,000 dollars, even if you do not have to file taxes". 

   Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Julie Menin said that the city goal is to increase the number of families taking advantage of the EITC to 150,000 families this year. Last year 96,000 families took advantage of the EITC and the free tax preparation which generated around $160 million dollars of spendable dollars by the families. This year the goal is to increase that figure by $90 million dollars in additional spendable money by the 50,000 new families taking the EITC. 

Above - DCA Commissioner Meng explains why the EITC Credit is so important to families who are eligible, but do not take the credit.

Below - State Senator Gustavo Rivera tells the audience the average EITC credit is $2,500, and up to $10.000.00. Silvia Davi of the Food Bank of New York is on the left in both photos. This event took place at the Bronxworks location at 80 East 181st Street.