QUEENS TIPublished forM the BoroughES of Queens VOLUME 24, NO. 14 THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 25 CENTS Point of View Suozzi Announces Six-Month Extension Two Weeks to Go! Free Filing of Alternative Helicopter Route Resources Online and Across the State The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded taxpayers that the filing deadline—April 15—is quickly approaching. With only two weeks remaining, the Tax Department is highlighting the free filing resources available online and at locations around the state. “It’s crunch time for taxpayers who’ve waited until now to start thinking about filing their income tax returns, but not time to panic,” said New York State Taxpayer Rights Advocate Margaret Neri. “The Tax Department has plenty of free and convenient resources to help file an accurate return on time and receive any refunds due promptly. Benefits of e-filing E-filing is safer and more efficient than sending paper re- turns through the mail. About 92% of all personal income tax returns in New York State are electronically prepared and filed. All returns, regardless of how they’re filed, undergo the same systematic review. Use direct deposit To use direct deposit, simply check direct deposit on your tax return, then enter your bank’s nine-digit routing number and your account number. For checking accounts, this information is available on your checks; for savings accounts, contact your bank. Taxpayers can receive their refund up to two weeks sooner by choosing e-file and direct deposit. Free filing options available Taxpayers with adjusted gross household incomes of $66,000 Estimated 50% Reduction of Helicopter Noise is a Major Victory for Queens Residents. or less in 2018 may use free, user-friendly software at www. Congressman Tom Suozzi has announced that the FAA has extended the alternative tax.ny.gov to electronically prepare and file both their state and North Shore Helicopter Route for an additional 180 days. See story on page 2. federal tax returns. Taxpayers can search Free File on the Tax (Continued on page 2) Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato Lions International Distribute Food at Sworn in as Honorary Fire Commissioner St. Paul the Apostle Church in Corona At St. Paul the Apostle Church in Corona members of the Lions Club of Corona are dispensing bags of food for the needy. Pictured at the table are Lion members from the Lions Club of Corona Rosa Marte, Michael Liquori, Lions Pictured L to R: Lt. Alex Arnold, Chief Nick Spinelli, Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer, Club of Corona President Joseph Degaetano with Diane Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Deputy Chief Alvin Quiles, Past Chief Daniel Amorim. Noble and other Lions clubs members who were also This past weekend Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato attended the West involved in dispensing food bags. Hot food, cakes, cookies Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department 91st Annual Anniversary dinner. At and deserts was served. This was a very successful event the celebration, Pheffer Amato was sworn in by her mother, Queens County sponsored by Lions International. Photo by Bob Grant Clerk Audrey Pheffer, as honorary Fire Commissioner for the Fire Department. One Edition for ALL of Queens! Visit our website at www.queenstimes.com PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 Two Weeks to Go! Free Filing Resources Online and Across the State (Continued from page 1) Department website to be directed Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, refund anytime by using the Check to the software. Using the software Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, your Refund tool on the Tax De- can reduce filing errors that delay Spanish, and Urdu. partment website: www.tax.ny.gov. return processing and refunds, and The Tax Department is also part- Updated daily, it’s the fastest and prevent valuable credits from being nering with the IRS to offer free in- most convenient way to know when overlooked. person assistance. The Volunteer to expect your refund. It provides Eligible taxpayers can also visit a Income Tax Assistance program the same information available to Tax Department free tax assistance offers free tax help to those who our phone representatives—only site. For a schedule of dates, times, generally make $55,000 or less, without the wait! and locations for sessions statewide persons with disabilities, and lim- You can also find out when your see Facilitated Self-Assistance ited English-speaking taxpayers refund will be issued by signing up (FSA) program. who need assistance in preparing for Tax Department email alerts. Tax Department experts will their own tax returns. Visit the IRS Visit the Tax Department homep- be available at each site to assist at Free Tax Return Preparation for age at www.tax.ny.gov and select low- and middle-income New Qualifying Taxpayers to find a subscribe at the bottom of the page. Yorkers through the filing process location near you. Don’t have a computer or smart at no charge. At certain locations, Check your refund status phone? Call the Tax Department’s they can assist taxpayers in mul- Taxpayers can quickly view the automated refund status line any- tiple languages, including Arabic, status of their New York State tax time at 518-457-5149. Suozzi Announces Six-Month Extension of Alternative Helicopter Route (Continued from page 1) he applauds the FAA’s decision North Shore Helicopter Route to extend the alternative inbound through the summer months, Congressman Tom Suozzi procedures for helicopters and which is clearly the busiest time (D – Long Island, Queens) has float planes. of the year,” said Council Mem- announced that the FAA has ex- “The communities of Whit- ber Paul Vallone. “Expanding tended the alternative North Shore estone, Bayside and northeast this pilot program until October Helicopter Route for an additional Queens have suffered from inces- 2nd will give families in Bayside, 180 days. In October 2018, the sant helicopter and aircraft noise. Whitestone and College Point FAA began a six-month test of In recent years, air traffic volume much needed relief from the an alternative route which shifted has increased dramatically, reach- onslaught of noise low-flying, air traffic away from Whitestone, ing a point where families cannot chartered helicopters bring to our Bayside, and northeast Queens enjoy their own backyards with- communities. Since day one, my and cut helicopter and seaplane out constant noise, making them office has continuously fought to traffic by up to 50 percent. This prisoners in their own homes,” protect Northeast Queens from six-month extension, which will said Congressman Tom Suozzi. disruptive air traffic, and this ex- run through October 2, 2019, will “This 180-day extension of the tension is another great win for our bring much-needed relief to the alternative route will dramati- district. It is our continued hope residents of northeast Queens cally improve the quality of life that the FAA will consider taking through the normally busier sum- for affected residents, particularly this transformative program from Subscribe to the mer period. during the busier and noisier sum- pilot to permanent.” Congressman Suozzi has mer months. I want to thank the Congressman Suozzi is Co- worked closely with New York FAA for working with me to find Chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus Queens Times City Council Member Paul Val- solutions that will mitigate noise which seeks to raise awareness lone and the Federal Aviation and provide relief for Queens on the issue of aircraft noise and Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens Administration (FAA) in repeat- residents. My hope is that after find meaningful solutions to the edly calling for alternative routes this test route is complete, this ex- problem. The caucus consists of Just $28.50 per year... and have the paper to improve safety and mitigate tension can be made permanent.” congressional representatives delivered to your door by US Mail noise stemming from increased “I want to thank the FAA for from across the country whose air traffic over his district, and extending use of the alternative constituents have been impacted. Please Enter my Subscription For One Year Name .............................................................................. Borough President Melinda Katz Announces Address .......................................................................... Queens Job Fair For 2020 Census One year before the 2020 throughout this great borough to ing for a variety of temporary City..................................................Zip........................... Census count begins, Borough help ensure as complete and ac- jobs, including census takers, President Melinda Katz and the curate a count as possible.” recruiting assistants, office staff, Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: U.S. Census Bureau today an- The job fair will take place and supervisory staff. The jobs 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 nounced they will hold a job fair on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 in New York City pay a mini- at Queens Borough Hall on May from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in mum of $25 per hour. Eligibil- 1st to help recruit workers to assist Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 ity requirements can be found with the 2020 Census count. The Queens Boulevard in Kew Gar- at https://2020census.gov/jobs, upcoming job fair is just one of dens. Representatives from the where applicants may also apply the ways Borough President Katz U.S. Census Bureau will be for Census jobs online. and her Queens Complete Count available at the May 1 job fair to Later that day on May 1 fol- Committee are helping to make answer questions. Walk-ins are lowing the job fair, the New York Published every week by C.T. Publishing Corp. sure the upcoming 2020 Census welcome, but participants are State Complete Count Commis- Executive Office: 108-59 49th Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 accurately counts Queens’ resi- strongly encouraged to RSVP in sion formed by Governor Andrew Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 dent population.