Financial Resources
In times of dire financial need, artists may need access to financial relief. In times of stability, artists can also benefit from financial empowerment resources.
DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment (NYC)
The Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) is the first local government initiative in the nation aimed expressly at educating, empowering, and protecting those with low incomes, so they can build assets and make the most of their financial resources.
Telephone: New York City’s 24-hour Citizen Service Hotline
(Or 212-NEW-YORK from outside New York City for all non-emergency NYC government services)
TTY: 212-487-2710 and 212-487-3156
Learn about the EmpoweredNYC initiative, which assists New Yorkers with disabilities with financial advice, and other programs such as NYC Free Tax Prep, Financial Empowerment Centers, and more.
Internal Revenue Service
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
VITA
The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $51,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
Find a VITA Site Near You – There are thousands of VITA sites located across the country. You may find a site near you between January and April using the VITA Locator Tool or call 1-800-906-9887.
TCE
The TCE Program offers free tax help for all with priority assistance to people who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement issues unique to seniors. IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
Find a TCE or AARP Tax-Aide Site Near You – A majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide Program. To locate the nearest TCE site or AARP Tax-Aide site between January and April use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
Self-Help Tax Preparation
In addition to traditional face-to-face tax preparation, the IRS is offering a self-assistance service at many VITA and TCE locations. If individuals have a simple tax return and need a little help or do not have access to a computer, they can visit one of the participating tax preparation sites and an IRS-certified volunteer will guide them through the process.
NEDAP
NEDAP is a resource and advocacy center for community groups in New York City.
Telephone: 212-680-5100
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
Telephone: (SBA Answer Desk) 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722)
TTY: (Answer Desk TTY) (704) 344-6640 [Spanish]
Email: [email protected]
Image: Deborah Zlotsky (Fellow in Painting ’12, ’18), Bewitched, 2017, Image Courtesy: Deborah Zlotsky
