Brooklyn Borough President

MARKOWITZ - “ BROOKLYN - THIS IS YOUR MONEY!”

In photo: Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz urges Brooklynites to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit Program. Seated behind him are Executive Director of FoodChange Richard Murphy, President & CEO of Independence Community Bank Alan Fishman and Senator Charles Schumer.

Photographs by Kathryn Kirk

Borough President urges Brooklynites to use free tax prep centers

“Come to the free tax prep center at Independence Community Bank on Montague Street to get what you have earned. Brooklyn - this is your money!” said Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Very often low and moderate income families don’t take advantage of financial breaks in the tax code. In fact, many people who are eligible for the earned income tax credit never claim it. Missing out on the EITC can mean less money for the basics - food, clothing and transportation. Depending on your income and the size of your family, you may be entitled to thousands of dollars. Last year, this program helped hard working Brooklyn families receive over $6 million dollars in refunds - I’m confident that this year the center will help even more Brooklynites get their fair share.”

On Monday, February 7, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Senator Charles Schumer, President & CEO of Independence Community Bank Alan Fishman, State Banking Superintendent Diana Taylor and Executive Director of FoodChange Richard Murphy officially opened a free tax preparation center in Downtown Brooklyn. The center, Money Central, will help working families get the city, state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits they have earned.

FDIC Regional Director Christopher Spoth and Executive Director of the Independence Community Foundation Marilyn Gelber joined leaders of Brooklyn non-profit groups, including the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, CAMBA, Fifth Avenue Committee, Faith Center for Community Development and Make the Road by Walking, to lend their support to the program.

Free tax preparation sites in Brooklyn include:

Bed-Stuy: Bed-Stuy Restoration, 1368 Fulton St., inside courtyard of Bed-Stuy Restoration, across from Duane Reade
Downtown: Independence Community Bank, 195 Montague St., Independence Bank building, fourth floor, between Court and Clinton Streets
Sunset Park : Center for Family Life, 5505 Fourth Ave., between 55 th and 56 th Streets