Community Alerts 1.10.24

New York City’s minimum wage increased to $16 an hour on January 1, 2024. Learn more on New York State's Department of Labor website. The increase does not affect many tipped workers, according to this article in City Limits.

On January 4, 2024, the Department of Finance launched its redesigned website. The website was designed in partnership with the Office of Technology and Innovation and focuses on an improved user-friendly experience. Learn more about the websitevia City Land, or visit the site here.

The Department of City Planning has been presenting its citywide zoning plan, City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, since the end of October. Now, the agency invites stakeholders to participate in the public hearing at the City Planning Commission (CPC) on January 24. Sign up to testify in person at 120 Broadway in Manhattan (details on how to testify by videoconference will be posted on nyc.gov/engage one hour in advance of the meeting); submit written testimony using this link here (written testimony will be accepted until February 15); or send letters of support to CPC Chair Dan Garodnick at EconomicOpportunity@planning.nyc.gov.

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is proposing new rules to clarify the licensing requirement for third-party food delivery services. The hearing for these changes will be held virtually on Monday, February 5, at 11:00am. Find the notice of the public hearing here.

IRS Unveils Free Filing System: The IRS is now accepting tax returns for the 2023 filing season, and IRS Free File – a program that makes brand-name tax software and electronic filing available to most taxpayers for free – is now open and ready for taxpayers to use. Through this program, a public-private partnership between IRS and the Free File Inc, leading tax software providers make their online products available in both English and Spanish for free.Learn more here.

Tax Relief for Eligible Taxpayers: The IRS is waiving failure-to-pay penalties on taxes from 2020 and 2021 that fall below $100,000. Individuals, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations who owe back taxes will receive automatic penalty relief. To check eligibility,find the notice here.

Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed Tax Filers: NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed Filers provides free tax preparation services for gig workers, freelancers, and small business owners via the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. In addition to providing annual and quarterly estimated tax filing preparation assistance, new workshops and one-on-one consultations will help the growing number of New Yorkers who perform gig and freelance work to learn the basics of tax filing and recordkeeping best practices as self-employed filers. 

New IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program: Employers who received questionable Employee Retention Credits can now pay them back at a discounted rate. Those interested in the program must apply by March 22. Find more information on the program here.

On January 21, 2024, USPS will implement price changes to some mailing and shipping products. Explore a full list of prices, including commercial pricing, on the USPS website.

Upper West Side Recycling (UWSR) provides a free bi-monthly Eco Letter via email. The newsletter includes information about locally relevant environmental events, organizations, meetings, and publications. Read the newsletter and subscribe on UWSR’s website.

With temperatures dropping, there’s no better time to sign up for emergency alerts via Notify NYC. The updates from the NYC Department of Emergency Management are available in 13 languages and American Sign Language. You can also follow Notify NYC on Twitter (@NotifyNYC) or download the free mobile application for your smart device.