Get Tax Help and Avoid Tax Season Scams

It's tax season and the New York Public Library Riverside Branch is again offering free tax aid and preparation courtesy of the AARP organization on Thursdays through April 13. Sessions run from 11:00am - 3:00pm and are available on a first come, first served basis. 

 

Returns are prepared by AARP volunteers certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Most returns are filed electronically (e-filed) at no cost to you. Please remember to organize all relevant forms, documentation and materials before you come.

 

Also, to ensure you are protected this tax season, New York State has issued some important tips about avoiding tax scams through the Office of Information and Technology Services on its website. 

 

Taxpayer scams occur throughout the year, many of which peak during tax-filing season. This year, the IRS has reported a surge of Form W-2 email phishing scams to try to steal employee W-2 information. Examples of scams include: 

• Fake emails/text messages purporting to be from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including software companies that seek information related to refunds, filing status, confirming personal information, and verifying personal identification numbers. 
• Phone calls by individuals impersonating IRS agents and threatening you with police arrest, deportation, license revocation, and other penalties if you don't pay a bogus tax bill. 

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels to request personal or financial information nor does it threaten arrest for immediate payments. If you receive an unsolicited communication from the IRS, do not act on it.  Suspected phishing emails should be forwarded directly to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov and then deleted. Further information and instructions may be found by visiting the Reporting Phishing and Online Scams page on the IRS website.