Public Employee Press

Union offers free tax prep service

DC 37 is offering free tax preparation services with access to the Earned Income Tax Credit to qualified members. The EITC is an additional amount of money that is paid to low income families in addition to their tax refund.

On Feb. 10 and 17, special tax prep sessions were held for members who work in the Job Training Program at the NYC Parks Dept.

“It’s a great opportunity to have this. The staff was friendly and I didn’t have to wait. They attended to me very quickly,” said JTP participant Celines Rivera, who brought along her daughter Feb. 10 to the session at the Chelsea Recreation Center on a chilly Saturday morning.

All union members — not just JTPs — are eligible for the free tax preparation service if they have a total family income of under $20,000 and no children or family income below $40,000 and one or more dependent children.

Last year DC 37 helped more than 3,000 union members get over $8.1 million in tax refunds as well as savings on tax preparation.

DC 37 in partnership with Food Change is operating 11 tax preparation centers throughout the city. For assistance finding a center, call 311 or visit www. DC37.net for more information.

When applying, members will need certain information:

• W-2s for all jobs worked during 2006
• The 1099-G form if you received unemployment insurance during the year
• If you are filing your taxes with your spouse, you must bring your spouse
• Social Security cards (or a copy of last year’s tax return or individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) and birth dates for yourself and all family members you are claiming
• Bank statements for any interest earned
• A sample check if you want direct deposit of your refund.

For members who decide to file electronically refunds are available within one week of filing. “It’s a good public service they’re providing,” said Steven Martin. “DC 37 is a good union. They’re doing their best to help their members.”