By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

The Municipal Employees Legal Services hosted a virtual Tax Tips webinar on Jan. 25 that 100 DC 37 members attended. The session is now available online for DC 37 members.

During the webinar, Tax Expert and Supervising Attorney Sheldon Barasch walked through deductions that can be itemized and how working families can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Barasch also reminded attendees that the birth of a child, childcare expenses, education and tuition, property tax, and other expenses may qualify as tax deductions in 2022. 

“It’s advisable that New Yorkers file their 2022 income taxes electronically and opt to have tax refunds deposited directly into their personal bank account,” explained MELS Director William Whalen, Esq. “We warn members to NOT use ‘Rapid Refund’ because this fast cash option comes with very high-interest rates and fees.”

Members and retirees can view the MELS Tax Tips webinar by clicking on the links below:

Slides: http://bit.ly/3WG1ujp

Video Replay: http://bit.ly/3WIm2aO

The Food Bank for NYC offers free, contactless tax preparation services for low-income New Yorkers. Get the refunds and credits you may be entitled to, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Call 646-981-6111, Mon. to Fri., 10 AM to 4 PM, or email eitc@foodbanknyc.org.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is excited to coordinate the City’s annual Tax Season Initiative. As a result, New Yorkers who earned $80,000 or less in 2022 may use NYC Free Tax Prep to file with the help of IRS-certified volunteer preparers. For information about free Tax Prep services and eligibility for tax credits, visit nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311.

The IRS filing deadline is Monday, Apr. 18.