County Executive Robert P. Astorino urges low-and-moderate-income residents to take advantage of free tax preparation assistance from trained professionals and get the tax credits they may be entitled to, particularly the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).

The free service is available to qualified residents through April 15 at locations in Mount Vernon, Ossining, Peekskill, Tarrytown, Valhalla, White Plains and Yonkers. Residents may call 2-1-1, the United Way's Help Line, to schedule an appointment with a volunteer certified tax assistant. Spanish translators are also available. Further information is also available at www.westchestergov.com/eitc.

"Last year, we helped more than 8,000 residents get income tax refunds of about $10.9 million, including $4.6 million in tax credits," said Astorino. "Every dollar we get back not only helps that taxpayer but returns money into our local economy."

The IRS estimates that thousands of eligible Westchester residents fail to apply for the EITC, either because they don't know about it or are unable to fill out the appropriate forms.

It is open to taxpayers with household incomes below $53,000. See who qualifies for EITC. Eligible taxpayers can receive earned income tax credits of up to $8,293 on their 2014 tax return, based on their income, filing status and household size.

"The whole process took only about forty-five minutes," said Christopher Richards, member of the First Community Church of the Nazarene in Elmsford, who used the volunteer tax preparation services at the One-Stop Employment Center in White Plains. "I have peace of mind that my taxes were done correctly and I'm looking forward to a sizeable refund too."

This initiative is a collaboration of the following county departments and community organizations: Office of the County Executive; the departments of Social Services and Consumer Protection; Single Stop USA; Educational Opportunity Center of Westchester; Westchester Chapter of the AARP; Interfaith Council for Action; Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Community Capital Resources; Westchester Community College; The Volunteer Center of United Way; United Way's 2-1-1 Hudson Valley Region; the Business Council of Westchester; the Westchester County Library System; and the Child Care Council of Westchester.