Tax Assistance Program

Tax Assistance Program (TAP) Fact Sheet

What is TAP?

TAP stands for the Tax Assistance Program which is administered by the United Way of Rockland County. TAP provides free tax preparation by IRS certified volunteers to anyone that qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) (as well as other tax credits that may be available to them) by filing their federal and state tax returns.

Who gets the EITC?

If you worked in 2006 and your household income is less than $35,000 and you have one or more dependant children OR you were single in 2006 and earned less than $12,000, you shouldcall United Way’s 211 helpline to see if you qualify for the EITC.  If you qualify, you can receive a refundcheck from the federal and/or state governments so it isimportant to call 2-1-1 as soon as possible to seeif you qualify.  Ifyou qualify, you can make an appointment to have your taxesprepared by TAP volunteers at various locations throughoutRockland.

I know that I received the EITC last year. How do I get an appointment for TAP?

Call United Way’s 211 helpline by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone in the Hudson Valley region (including most cellular phones) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The 2-1-1 call manager will confirm that you are still eligible for the EITC and then schedule an appointment at one of our TAP locations located in various places throughout Rockland County.

Who is helping me file my tax returns?

The IRS and United Way of Rockland County have provided training and software to our volunteers.  Every volunteer has been specifically certified by the IRS to prepare tax returns and can show you proof of this certification when you arrive at your appointment.

When is TAP available?

TAP sites will be open from the week of January 21, 2007 until the second week of April, 2007. It is advisable to call 211 to make an appointment as soon as possible given the large numbers of families that qualify for this service.

Will TAP volunteers come to a company to prepare returns for a group of people?

Yes. Companies who would like TAP volunteers to come in and prepare a group of returns for their employees are welcome to call the United Way of Rockland County office now at 845-358-8929 to learn what the company needs to do prior to becoming a TAP site and whether there are volunteers available to accommodate the request.   

What do I bring to my appointment?

As part of your discussion with a United Way 2-1-1 call manager, you will be given a list of materials that you must bring with you in order for our TAP volunteers to assist you. Some of these items include a valid picture ID, social security cards for you and your dependants, last year’s tax return, W-2 forms from every employer for the 2006 calendar year, 1099 forms for any additional income you may have received in 2006 and any documents issued by a court that discuss custody and/or your ability to claim a child as a dependant on a tax return.

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Special thanks to: Temple Beth Torah, the TAP volunteer coordinator and Union State Bank as a site partner.