Press Release by Bethpage Federal Credit Union – February 22, 2024
Bethpage, NY – February 22, 2024 – Qualifying taxpayers will have four different ways to file their taxes for free this year, thanks to Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the only financial institution to offer the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program on Long Island. Now in its 21st year, Bethpage’s VITA program is open to all eligible Long Islanders, including non-Bethpage members.
The First option available to taxpayers is the Bethpage 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 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from February 1st – April 11th 2024. Pre-scheduled appointments are required and can be made on Bethpage’s website at lovebethpage.com/vita
The Second option available to taxpayers is the Bethpage Traditional 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 at select locations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Locations include every Wednesday at Touro Law Center in Central Islip, from February 14th – April 10th, from 4PM-8PM; Every other Friday at the Hempstead Public Schools Parent Resource Center in Hempstead, from February 2nd – April 12th, from 10AM-4PM. To register, contact Bethpage’s Community Development team at (516) 349-4288 or email them directly at community@bethpagefcu.com
The Third is the Bethpage VITA – In-Person Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) program. Here, 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 February 27th & March 12th, 10AM-5PM at Bellmore Memorial Library; March 5th, 10AM-5PM at Central Islip Public Library; February 20th, 9AM-2PM at Lindenhurst Memorial Library; February 8th, February 22nd, March 7th, March 21st, & April 4th, 10am – 5pm, at Middle Country Library in Centereach; February 28th, March 13th & April 10th, 10AM-5PM at South Country Library in Bellport; February 13th & March 26th, 10AM-5PM at West Babylon Public Library. Appointments at library locations are open to library patrons and town residents only. To register, contact Bethpage’s Community Development team at (516) 349-4288 or email them directly at community@bethpagefcu.com
The Fourth option available is the Bethpage VITA Remote FSA program where taxpayers can “Use Our Software for Free,” 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 community@bethpagefcu.com.