Public Employee Press

Union offers tax assistance

Who will do your income taxes in 2009? Don’t spend your hard-earned money on commercial preparers that charge an average of $200 to get your own money. If you (and your spouse*) earn less than the income ceiling below, you may qualify for free tax-filing assistance. Every year DC 37 helps thousands of members get their refunds at no charge. Refunds are electronically filed and directly deposited within seven to 10 days for most taxpayers.

Go to the DC 37 Web site, www.dc37. net, for more information on where to find a free tax preparation center near your work or home, or call 311 for information in English and Spanish.

Income Ceilings: Filing with no children – you (and your spouse*) earn less than $20,000 total in 2008. Filing with children – you (and your spouse*) earn less than $40,000 total in 2008. (*Spouse’s income must be included if you are filing jointly.)

Be sure to ask about tax credits
Earned Income Tax Credit: Many employees who are eligible for the free tax preparation service will find that they are also eligible to receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which could provide as much as $6,500 for their family if they earned less than $42,000.

NYC Child Care Tax Credit: Employees who earn $30,000 or less and pay child care expenses for children under age 4 may qualify for the New York City Child Care Tax Credit, a local tax credit of up to $1,733.