Adams to spend $1.5 mil in promoting tax break for low-income NYers

Michael Gartland, New York Daily News
Updated ·2 min read

Mayor Adams is plunking down $1.5 million to spread the word about an expanded tax break available to low income New Yorkers.

With tax season here, the city is set to launch a multimedia marketing blitz that will include television ads in English and Spanish as well as cars wrapped in print ads to promote the state’s expansion of the earned income tax credit, something Adams successfully pushed for during his first year in City Hall.

Under the newly expanded tax credit, single parents who make $14,750 or less and have one child could see their benefits rise from $187 to $933. The increase in the credit became possible when the state approved the measure last year and through $250 million that the city has committed to the program annually.

“This is going to put over $350 million back into the pockets of New Yorkers, who will go into the local bodega, the local store, the local cleaners and recycle those dollars,” Adams said during a press conference to unveil the ad campaign Friday. “As we get the benefits for New Yorkers, we’re going to make sure it gets to New Yorkers.”

According to the ad, nearly one million New Yorkers are eligible for the credit. Eligibility requirements include income, marital and parental status.

Last year, the earned income tax credit in the city got its first bump in 20 years, and the benefit for working families could expand again through legislation now being considered in Albany.

Adams said Friday he wants to see the already-existing benefits reach as many New Yorkers as possible. To accomplish that, the city is urging people seek out free tax prep to help identify all of the benefits — like the earned income tax credit — that they’re eligible for.

One of the groups helping out with that is the nonprofit Urban Upbound, whose CEO Bishop Mitchell Taylor said that while the service is free, it’s quality is not diminished.

“Not only do you get your taxes done during the tax season, we are open all year round — 21 sites in New York City,” he said.