💸 Where to find free tax help

👮 SEPTA Police Plan Crackdown

Following three deadly shootings on or near buses in the past week, SEPTA Police Chief Charles Lawson pushed back on the perception that crime is out of control on the transit system — while also pledging “aggressive” enforcement of the law. That could involve stop-and-frisk that follows “legal precedent,” he said. [NBC10]

• Several hours after Lawson made his comments, news broke of a fourth shooting at a bus stop in Northeast Philly. [6ABC]

🔨 Fetterman Introduces Home Repair Legislation

Sen. John Fetterman hopes to address U.S. housing shortages by creating a five-year pilot program modeled after Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs program — which offers some homeowners grants to fix structural issues with their houses. The bipartisan effort to create the PA program was spearheaded by state Sen. Nikil Saval (D–Philadelphia).

🚲 More Cyclists on Washington Avenue

After the city installed protected bike lanes between 4th and 11th Streets on Washington Avenue, peak hour bike volumes went up by 181%, per a new city report. Sidewalk parking also went up. [PhillyVoice]

Tax season can be overwhelming (and the April 15 deadline really has a way of sneaking up on us all!).

Some good news: In Philadelphia, there are a handful of no-cost resources for preparing your tax return — though in some cases eligibility depends on income level, background, or what types of forms you’ll need to use. (These tax prep volunteers may not be able to handle every situation; if your returns are complicated, you might have to see an accountant.)

Here are some options for free tax assistance in Philly, available in-person or online.

AARP Tax Aide

This program offers volunteer tax assistance to “anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 or have low to moderate income,” according to its website. You can find in-person Tax Aide sites in Northwest and Northeast Philly, plus several in nearby suburbs.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites

According to the IRS, VITA sites aim to provide tax help to “people who generally make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.” Volunteer preparers must undergo tax law training that meets the IRS’ standards.

Several VITA sites in Philly offer services in languages other than English, like Spanish, Chinese, Cantonese, Mandarin, and American Sign Language. When you search, be sure to check for each provider’s hours, dates available, and whether an appointment is required.

Campaign for Working Families

This Brewerytown-based nonprofit offers free tax help to Philadelphians — primarily low- and moderate-income families — at in-person sites across the region, or virtually. (Their sites are part of the VITA program.) According to the CWF website, the organization can help first-time filers, people with unfiled past tax returns, and filers who need help with corrections to a prior return.

As of this week, senior city officials are back to working in-person five days per week. Mayor Cherelle Parker has said she eventually plans to bring all city workers back to the office full-time, and she’s encouraged private employers in Center City to do the same.

Last week, I asked what Hey Philly readers thought about the push for a return to in-person office work in Philadelphia — and you certainly had some strong opinions!

🍬 Steve F. wrote: “Lockdowns PROVED remote workers can be more productive, and that they're NOT just eating bonbons and watching Seinfeld reruns at home.”

🏬 Angela M. wrote: “Working [from] home is convenient but for society you need to interact. If children can go to school then parents can go back to work. Keeping Center City closed and desolate and having brick-and-mortar stores closed is crazy.”

💰 Hayes R. wrote: “While I appreciate the need to support our real estate and businesses that serve lunch and a million other services … she’s not taking into account the human element of employee satisfaction, cost savings, flexible hours, and so on.”

⭐ Elaine G. wrote: “The Mayor constantly shouts, ‘I want the best and the brightest’ to be on her team. The best and the brightest aren’t trying to work themselves to death like their parents. Sadly, the best and the brightest are honing their Zoom interview techniques and resumes.”

🎧 Hear even more reader opinions on whether workers should return to Center City offices on this Tuesday’s City Cast Philly podcast episode.

How To Speak Philadelphian

There’s no debate that Philadelphians have an accent. Even within the city, the words and phrases you hear can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri talks with comedian and writer Alan Massenburg, who grew up in West Philly, about these regional differences and what turns of phrase let you know someone is really from Philly.