The SUNY New Paltz School of Business announces the return of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax help to individuals with a gross income of $60,000 or less.

The VITA program connects community members with certified student volunteers who have received IRS training to provide basic tax return preparation assistance and free e-filing.

Starting on Feb. 6 and until April 18, taxpayers may have their returns prepared either virtually or in person.

Taxpayers may visit http://www.getyourrefund.org/sunynewpaltz to securely complete and submit documents virtually. Student volunteers will then contact taxpayers.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this free service, please be sure to have your photo ID, Social Security Cards, all informational statements such as W-2s & 1099s, last year’s tax return (if available) and your bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit available.

The tax attorneys at Pierro, Connor & Associates, LLC are ready to be of assistance to people from Albany, New York City, and other cities across the state. They work to develop a plan to minimize transfer taxes during and after a client’s lifetime, by utilizing sophisticated techniques to maximize the wealth our clients transfer to their children or to other designated beneficiaries. The tax planning department will prepare estate and gift tax returns, and provide assistance in resolving audits of estate and gift tax returns. In addition, the Tax Planning Department will consult with our clients to help them fully understand their retirement benefits, and advise and develop strategies to maximize the benefits our clients receive from their retirement plans. Our key services in Tax Planning include:

1.Developing an Estate Plan to Maximize the use of the Estate Tax Exemption: Does your existing estate plan provide for the maximum use of your estate tax exemption in order to maximize the wealth you transfer to the next generation? If not, we can review and consult with you regarding your plan, and develop a plan to maximize the use of your estate tax exemption.

2.Preparing Estate and Gift Tax Returns and Resolving Audits: Are you in need of someone to prepare an estate or gift tax return, or someone to help you resolve an audit with the federal or state revenue department, then we can assist you in preparing an estate or gift tax return, or in resolving an audit with the federal or state revenue department.

3.Use of Advanced Trusts to Maximize Wealth Transferred to the Next Generation: Do you have the proper planning in place to maximize the wealth you pass to the next generation while reducing your estate and gift tax liability? We can assist you in developing a plan through the use of sophisticated trusts and planning techniques to remove appreciating assets from your estate and transferring the assets to your intended beneficiaries, while reducing your estate and gift tax liability.

4.Planning With Investments and Retirement Benefits: Do you have an investment strategy in place that takes into consideration your future retirement goals and provides efficient tax planning? We will work closely with you to review your current planning and develop a plan that will minimize the tax liability on your investments and retirement benefits, while accomplishing your retirement goals.

5.Charitable Planning with Retirement Benefits: Do you have retirement benefits that will incur a large income tax liability upon distribution? Through the use of charitable trusts we can develop a plan to minimize your tax liability while retaining an annuity or remainder interest for your benefit or the benefit of your intended beneficiaries, and still allow you to receive a charitable deduction on your tax return. In addition to efficient tax planning, this plan will allow you to fulfill your philanthropic goals.

6.Planning to Minimize the Impact of Large Capital Gains: Do you have investments that will incur a large capital gains tax when the investment is sold or when distributions are required to be made from the account, then we can work with you to develop a plan to minimize the capital gains tax liability.

Types of Services:

•Estate Tax Return Preparation and related services

•Gift Tax Return Preparation and related services

•Estate Tax Return Audits

•Gift Tax Return Audits

•Drafting or Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust

•Drafting or Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Grantor Retained Annuity Trust

•Drafting or Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Qualified Personal Residence Trust

•Drafting or Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Wealth Replacement Trust

•Drafting or Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Charitable Lead Trusts

•Drafting or Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Charitable Remainder Trusts

•Review of retirement and investment accounts

•All other services connected with Tax Planning

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Get Help with Free Tax Assistance

Since 1968, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has provided free tax help to over 78 million taxpayers, with a focus on older adults with low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide, and are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.

Tax-Aide locator is live and on-site Tax-Aide service is open. Tax assistance is available by appointment and might be offered on a walk-in basis depending on the location. Access to the different types of taxpayer assistance varies in each locality.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers annual free tax preparation to those 50+ who can’t afford tax preparation services. Staffed by a team of IRS-certified volunteers, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has multiple locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers. AARP membership is not required.

Offers free state and federal income tax return preparation services - ages 60+

Specializes in questions about pensions and retirement- related issues unique to seniors

During tax season AARP-Plattsburgh sponsors free tax preparation for senior residents of Clinton and Essex counties. Taxes are prepared by experienced IRS-approved volunteers and are submitted electronically for efficient processing.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Tax season can be very stressful for those who are struggling. Finding someone to complete and file taxes reliably, at a fair cost, can be hard. And the idea of sorting through personal finances when money is tight can add a high level of stress. Of course, avoiding filing could lead to some negative consequences:

•Missing out on much-needed (and deserved) tax refunds

•Penalties or fines

CEO wants to make it as easy as possible for you to file your tax returns. That is why CEO offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax help to working families who cannot prepare their own tax returns.

VITA’s volunteers are trained to complete your tax return accurately, accessing credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. The VITA program can complete both Federal and State tax returns and is able to e-file for a faster refund. VITA workers can also link you with banking resources and financial education. The program collaborated with United Way and the CASH Coalition.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for VITA services, in 2017:

•Your household income was less than $54,000

•You worked in New York State

•You did not receive income from rental property

•You did not receive military pay

•You did not sell a house, stocks, bonds or other financial assets

•And, if you are self-employed, you did not have any employees or inventor/depreciation/ business expenses worth more than $5,000

Contact Us:

For more information on the VITA program, please contact:

Renata Gwozdz, Community Services Manager

Phone: (518) 272-6012 ext. 242

There are three different property tax exemptions available to veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces, including veterans who have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard Eligible veterans must submit the initial exemption application form to their local assessor.

Free volunteer income tax assistance

The Town of Barker Tax Assessor oversees all of the different financial programs to lower ones taxes and provide financial assistance. Renewal applications will be mailed out. Family or friend can apply for first time and renewal with applicant's signature and required documentation. Completed applications should be sent to mailing address above. Assessor does not make visits to homebound.