Public Employee Press

Free Tax Preparation
Call 311 for more information

Income tax season is upon us again. For the fourth year, DC 37 is partnering with FoodChange to provide FREE quality tax preparation services to members who qualify.

Last year over 3,000 DC 37 members used this free service and got their returns filed electronically, with direct deposit of refunds, including Earned Income Tax Credits, within SEVEN to 10 days of filing.
You qualify if your total family income is less than $40,000 and you have at least one dependent child, or if your total family income is less than $20,000 and you have no children. The FREE service is provided at FoodChange sites; call 311 for locations.

Too many tax preparation services charge outrageous fees, or have schemes such as rapid refund anticipation loans or holiday loans and other gimmicks to overcharge you for getting your own tax refund.

Additional services available
As the leader of the NYC Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, the city Dept. of Consumer Affairs is also distributing discounted coupons for two large chain preparers. Be sure to find out the full cost of any tax preparation service before you agree to have your taxes prepared by a paid preparer. If you feel you were not treated fairly by a paid or volunteer preparer, please call 311.

Assisted Self Preparation: There will also be several dates in February and March where income-eligible tax filers can get access to a computer with tax filing software and prepare their own taxes, with assistance from a professional preparer who will be available to help individuals through the process. To see a complete list of these dates and locations, and the income limits — which are different for this service — please go to www.dc37.net.

	What You Need To Bring
	Social Security cards (you must bring an original card, a copy of the card or a copy of last year’s tax return) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers; and dates of birth for yourself and all family members you are claiming.
	W-2s for all jobs you held in 2006 and any other tax-related documents.
	Form 1099-G, if you received unemployment insurance in 2006 and 1099-INT, if you received interest from a bank account in 2006.
	If you are claiming child-care expenses, documentation of expenses and child-care agency’s ID or Social Security number of provider.
	If you are filing your taxes with a spouse, you must bring your spouse.
	A sample check if you want direct deposit of your refund.
	2 photo IDs (one government issued), if you wish to open a savings account and receive your refund within 7-10 days.