Need Help? Call 212-577-3300
We assist New Yorkers involved in tax disputes, bankruptcy proceedings, and consumer issues such as credit cards, auto loans, medical, and student loan debt. We can also provide legal assistance with small businesses, not-for-profits, and Housing Development Fund Companies (HDFC).
Those seeking assistance with consumer issues should call the Access to Benefits helpline at 888-663 6880 Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For assistance with tax disputes, please call 212-426-3013 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Note: you will be asked to leave a message with a return phone number.
For help with small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and HDFCs contact the Community Development Project at 212-298-3340 or email: CommunityDevProject@legal-aid.org.
Judgment proof means your income is a type or amount that is exempt from debt collection and you have no assets that a company has the right to take under New York State law. If you are judgment proof, this means that even if a company sues you and a court enters a judgment against you, the company cannot take any of your income or assets to pay the judgment.
The information below is to assist individuals in New York City Small Claims Court. If you are being sued and are in need of legal assistance or have questions about your case, please contact The Legal Aid Society’s Consumer Law Project at the Access to Benefits helpline at 888-663 6880 Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Common types of cases brought in Small Claims Court include Broken Lease Cases, Property Damage Claims, and unreturned security deposits.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is the nearly $1.9 trillion-dollar federal bill that President Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021. It includes various provisions responding to the COVID19 pandemic, including:
Note: An Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is an advance payment of the Recovery Rebate Credit (RRC). As such, you will see the EIP referred to as the RRC on your 2020.
Translations of this resource are available here.
Businesses must be organized in accordance with accepted legal structures. There are four basic types of legal structures for small businesses in New York State:
If you don’t choose one of these specific types of organization, by law your business will be presumed to be a sole proprietorship if there is one owner, or a general partnership if there is more than one owner.
It is strongly recommended that when choosing the type of structure for your business, you consult with a lawyer, insurance broker and accountant about the advantages, disadvantages, and tax consequences of the structure you are considering.
Information for individuals considering starting a business or non-profit and a summary of the legal issues you may face.
Having debt problems? Understanding your rights can help you deal with your debts and stop debt collectors from harassing you.
Get the information you need to accurately file your annual taxes and respond to requests from the IRS or NYSDTF. If you need additional assistance, call our Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic at 212-426-3013
The justice system can be overwhelming. Get familiar with some legal terms and acronyms you might hear like appeal, adjournment, petition, jurisdiction, deposition, and affidavit.