Credit union offers tax help across Long Island

Bethpage Federal Credit Union Wednesday will begin the 10th year of its VITA program, the largest free tax filing assistance program on Long Island.

VITA, which stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance — a government program — helps low-to-moderate-income households prepare their tax returns for free.

Last year, the credit union helped secure nearly $1.5 million in refunds for Long Islanders and completed 1,151 returns with more than 100 VITA-trained volunteers.

This year, the program will be available from Wednesday until April 13 to all eligible Long Islanders, including those who are not members of the credit union.

About 150 IRS-certified volunteers, including bilingual tax assistants, will be available to meet with eligible taxpayers with 2012 incomes of $49,000 and below to file tax returns.

VITA services will be available on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons in 12 Bethpage branches throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties: Elmont, Freeport, Hempstead, Massapequa, Roosevelt, Westbury, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Farmingdale, Patchogue, West Babylon and Riverhead.

For specific times and branch addresses, go to bethpagefcu.com or call 800-628-7070.