Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club hosts free tax seminar

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The Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club is set to host its annual tax seminar at the Freeport Memorial Library and the Merrick Library in early February.

This free event is intended to offer residents valuable insights on tax filing, property tax grievances and retirement planning, with expert guidance to help attendees navigate these financial challenges.

The first session, at the Freeport library, is scheduled for Feb. 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The second, at the Merrick library, will be held on Feb. 10, from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m.

Margareth Victor, an educator and a Freeport resident, will be the lead expert on retirement planning.

“I tell them, ‘When would you like to retire?’ Like, ‘Oh, in my 30s.’ ‘In my 40s,'" she said. "I want to retire now,’ but it’s about understanding how to prepare for that."

An independent agent with World Financial Group and a high school teacher in Queens, Victor is dedicated to educating people about financial planning and wealth creation.

“To be honest with you, if I was set up, if I sat with someone from World Financial Group in my 20s, I would have been able to retire now,” she said. “That’s why it has become my passion.”

Victor’s presentation will focus on practical steps people can take to secure their financial future, including cutting unnecessary expenses and investing in tax-advantaged accounts. “Simple things like cutting down on Uber Eats expenses and redirecting those funds toward savings can make a significant difference over time,” she added.

Another featured speaker, Dave Denenberg, will guide attendees through the process of filing a grievance for their Nassau County property tax assessment. “We’ll show people how they can file a grievance online, with comparable sales information to support their grievance,” Denenberg, the president of Cobra Consulting Group and a former county legislator, said.

Having helped residents navigate the assessment system for over 25 years, Denenberg emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the county’s online tools, which allow residents to file grievances without paying attorneys’ fees upfront.

Those who compare sales information for homes similar to their own may discover that their tax rate is based on an inaccurate assessment. “It’s a community service,” Denenberg said. “Why not empower people to do it themselves?”

Denenberg will show how to access the Nassau County website, set up an account, and use sales comparison data to argue for a fair property assessment. He noted that a resident’s assessment is their share of the tax burden, so if left unchallenged, it could result in an increase in taxes if other residents opt to reassess.

The final speaker, Mark Rigeur, an accountant, will offer advice on optimizing tax refunds in the upcoming filing season. He will help attendees understand new regulations and tax-saving opportunities.

Rotary’s mission is to support the community through service, and the seminars, club officials say, align with that goal by giving residents crucial financial knowhow.

“It’s really providing a service to the community that’s going to make their lives better,” Victor concluded.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session, and they can schedule follow-up meetings with the presenters for personalized guidance.

For those unable to attend, property tax grievances can be filed online, at NassauCountyNy.gov, in the E-services section, where users can access the Assessment Review page and utilize the Sales Locator tool.

The Rotary Club encourages community members to take advantage of this opportunity to hear expert financial advice and plan for a more secure future.