Bethpage Federal Credit Union To Expand Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Bethpage Federal Credit Union (Bethpage) plans to expand its free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2005 to include access to this service through its Bay Shore branch. First offered by Bethpage in 2004 at its Hempstead branch, this much-heralded program provides those with incomes of $35,000 or below with tax preparation assistance at no cost.

Bethpage, NY (PRWEB) December 19, 2004 -- Bethpage Federal Credit Union (Bethpage) plans to expand its free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2005 to include access to this service through its Bay Shore branch. First offered by Bethpage in 2004 at its Hempstead branch, this much-heralded program provides those with incomes of $35,000 or below with tax preparation assistance at no cost.
   
Bethpages VITA program couples those who cannot afford to pay for tax preparation assistance with volunteers trained in preparation and filing," said Bethpage Community Development Relationship Manager Robert Suarez. Tax returns are an annual necessity and through VITA, Bethpage last year helped 25 people who qualified. By expanding the program, we can assist even more to file their returns in a timely fashion in the coming year."
   
Under the guidelines of the program, Bethpage coordinates the services of volunteers -- trained by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to electronically prepare Forms 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 and W4 -- to work with qualifying residents to file income tax returns.
   
Providing extraordinary service to the Long Island community is an important part of the Bethpage mission," stated Linda Armyn, Assistant Vice President of Business Development for Bethpage. We offer this service to members and non-members of Bethpage at no charge. And we are extremely proud that Bethpage employees also serve as VITA volunteers."

In addition to qualifying by income, all those interested in using the VITA program to file 2004 tax returns must arrange for a time to bring the following materials for review to either the Bethpage Hempstead or Bethpage Bay Shore branch: the years tax package of wage and earnings statements (Form W-2), all interest statements (Form 1099-INT), and all other income and expense information. Taxpayers should also bring a social security card and picture identification when they visit a participating Bethpage VITA site.

Bethpage is an e-file site where taxpayers can file their income taxes electronically. E-filers get their refunds twice as quickly as those using paper returns and in as little as 10 days when they choose Direct Deposit. Taxpayers who do not have a direct deposit account and wish to receive payment in this format can open a Bethpage account when filing their taxes.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is the largest Long Island community credit union with over $2 billion in assets. Bethpage is a full-service, cooperative financial institution offering the lowest or no fees on products and services, the highest interest on deposits, and the lowest rates on loans to over 130,000 members nationwide. In addition to its main office, Bethpage currently maintains branches in Bay Shore, Glen Cove, Melville, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Islandia, Greenlawn, Hempstead, and North Babylon with no-surcharge ATM access at 29 Shared Service Centers. If you live or work in Nassau or Suffolk County, find out how you can open an account today.

For more information, stop in any branch, visit www.bethpagefcu.com, or call (800) 628-7070.

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