Bethpage Federal Credit Union offers free tax filing

Qualifying taxpayers will have four different ways to file their taxes for free this year, thanks to Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Now in its 20th year, Bethpage’s VITA program is open to all eligible Long Islanders, including those who are not members of Bethpage FCU.

The first option is Bethpage’s Traditional In-Person VITA program where taxpayers will meet with Bethpage’s trained volunteers in-person, who will then prepare and e-file the tax returns. Appointments will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays at Roosevelt High School through April 6; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays at Stony Brook University through April 4;, and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays at Touro University through April 4. To register, contact Bethpage’s Community Development team at 516-349-4288 or email them at [email protected].

The second option is Bethpage’s Virtual VITA program where taxpayers will meet with Bethpage’s trained volunteers virtually, who will then prepare and e-file the tax returns. Virtual appointments will take place Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 6. Pre-scheduled appointments are required and can be made on Bethpage’s website at: lovebethpage.com/vita.

The third option is the In-Person Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) program, where New York State Department of Taxation and Finance employee volunteers will help taxpayers prepare and e-file income tax returns for free, at select Long Island libraries throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Appointments will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 28 at Bellmore Memorial Library; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 11 at Central Islip Public Library; 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on March 7 at Lindenhurst Library; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 21 and April 4 at South Country Library in Bellport.

To register, contact Bethpage’s Community Development team at 516-349-4288 or email them directly at [email protected].

The final option available is Bethpage’s VITA “Use Our Software for Free” TaxSlayer (FSA) program, which will make tax filing software available for free to qualifying taxpayers, after they participate in prerequisite lab sessions to learn how to use the software to e-file tax returns themselves. To participate, taxpayers must first view an information webinar, presented by Bethpage and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. To register, contact Bethpage’s Community Development team at [email protected].