Fort Drum Legal Assistance Office

02/01/2022

The Fort Drum Tax Advisory Program is now available for free federal and state income tax preparation for Soldiers, Retirees, and Family Members with taxable incomes of up to $38,000, and Gold Star Family Members regardless of their incomes. This is a drop off/pick up service at the Legal Assistance Office in Room A2-68 at Clark Hall. Please visit the Fort Drum Tax Advisory Program webpage listed below for hours of operation and a checklist of the necessary forms.

The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate offers free income tax assistance - to all persons eligible for Legal Assistance services - during tax season.

01/04/2022

STANDARD DEDUCTION FOR TAX YEAR 2021. The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for tax year 2021 rose to $25,100, up $300 from the prior year. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rose to $12,550, up $150, and for heads of households, the standard deduction rose to $18,800, up $150.

01/04/2022

NEW YORK PAID FAMILY LEAVE. New Yorkers who have met the time-worked requirements for the state’s paid family leave can take up to 12 weeks off to care for a new child or sick family member. In 2022, New Yorkers using paid family leave will get 67% of their average weekly wage or up to $1,068.36 a week. For more information, see the NY website at PaidFamilyLeave_EmployeeFactSheet.pdf (ny.gov)

01/04/2022

NEW YORK MINIMUM WAGE INCREASED. On December 31, 2021, the minimum wage in Northern New York increased to $13.20 per hour. On July 1, 2021, the minimum wage for fast food workers increased to $15.00 per hour.

03/15/2021

The IRS issues 9 out of 10 refunds in 21 days or less. Where's My Refund? tool is updated once daily. Taxpayers can check the Where’s my Refund? tool

01/31/2021

Beginning Feb. 1, 2021, free income tax preparation assistance for Soldiers, Retirees, and Family Members with taxable incomes of up to $38,000, and Gold Star family members regardless of their incomes, will be available at Room A2-68, Clark Hall. Because of health considerations for our customers and staff during the pandemic, this will be a drop-off service only (no appointments will be offered). Tax returns will be prepared by Legal Assistance staff (we have no external resources to assist with tax preparation this year) using TaxSlayer software as part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

11/25/2020

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING BUT PLEASE DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Law enforcement agencies across the state will be enforcing the statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown from Wednesday, November 25th, through Sunday, November 29th, 2020. Driving While Intoxicated is a crime (a misdemeanor). A conviction will result in a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000, and/or jail for up to one year, plus other driver responsibility assessments, mandatory court surcharges, and other related fees and penalties. A person’s NY license (or right to drive in NY if the person has an out of state license) will be revoked for six months. A person must have a BAC level of only .08% to be intoxicated. The degree of impairment depends on four primary factors: (1) how much a person drinks; (2) how long a person drinks; (3) the amount of food a person eats (food slows absorption of alcohol); and (4) a person’s body weight. As a rough rule of thumb, for an average 140-160 pound person, BAC levels rise .02% per hour per drink (one drink equals one 12 ounce can of beer, one 5 ounce glass of wine, or one shot of 86-proof liquor). For example, a 140 pound person who consumes five drinks during a two-hour period will have a .08% BAC. Generally, a person’s body metabolizes about one drink each hour (or .02%). That means that 140 pound person may not safely drive a vehicle for AT LEAST four hours after consuming the last drink. IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK! USE A DESIGNATED DRIVER, CALL A CAB, STAY OVERNIGHT WITH A FRIEND OR AT A HOTEL. A DWI charge is a costly, life-changing event.

11/21/2020

NEW YORK MINIMUM WAGE GOING UP. On December 31, 2020, the minimum wage increases to $12.50/hour. The minimum wage for fast food workers increases to $14.50/hour.

11/18/2020

This Thanksgiving, millions will hit the roads to spend time with family and friends. In a combined effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 and will end on Sunday, November 29, 2020.

11/18/2020

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the 21st Annual "Buckle Up New York, Click It or Ticket" enforcement campaign is underway and will run through November 29, 2020. The statewide campaign, supported by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, raises awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts. Throughout the mobilization, state and local law enforcement agencies are using marked and unmarked vehicles, checkpoints, and roving details to patrol for unbelted occupants. Law enforcement is also making sure children are properly restrained.

11/09/2020

COVID-19 SCAMS CONTINUE! The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry today warned of a new text scam created by thieves that trick people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment.

NEITHER THE IRS NOR STATE AGENCIES WILL EVER TEXT TAXPAYERS ASKING FOR BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION SO THAT AN EIP DEPOSIT MAY BE MADE.

"Criminals are relentlessly using COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments as cover to try to trick taxpayers out of their money or identities," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "This scam is a new twist on those we've been seeing much of this year. We urge people to remain alert to these types of scams."

The scam text message states: "You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment ..." The text includes a link to a fake phishing web address.

This fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers.

THE IRS DOES NOT SEND UNSOLICITED TEXTS OR EMAILS. THE IRS DOES NOT CALL PEOPLE WITH THREATS OF JAIL OR LAWSUITS, NOR DOES IT DEMAND TAX PAYMENTS ON GIFT CARDS.

10/28/2020

NEW SEAT BELT LAW GOES INTO EFFECT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020. All Back Seat passengers a motor vehicle driven in New York must wear seat belts, regardless of their age (see NY Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1229-c).