Free income tax preparation

Tax season is upon us, but don’t despair — help is at hand. The Food Bank For New York City, a longtime friend of the UFT, offers free income tax preparation services for eligible New York City residents at dozens of sites across the city.

The UFT and The Food Bank For New York City also worked together in February to offer these important services to eligible union members at several UFT borough offices.

If you missed the UFT-sponsored sessions, you can still get help from IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers with The Food Bank For New York City at other sites in all five boroughs. For more information on times and locations, check out this leaflet from The Food Bank For New York City.

To take advantage of this free service, you must be a New York City resident and must earn under $50,000 with dependents or under $18,000 without dependents. You should also bring the following documents with you:

• A photo ID for you and your spouse, who must be present if filing a joint return
• Social Security cards or ITIN (copies are acceptable) for you and anyone you are claiming on your tax return
• W-2s for all jobs you held in 2011 and all 1099 forms
• Form 1098-T
• A sample check or bank letter with routing and account numbers
• Any other tax-related documents you received

If you are self-employed or paid in cash or personal checks, you must also know your total earnings made for the year. If you are claiming child care expenses, you must know the amount you paid and the child care agency’s ID, or the name and Social Security number of your child care provider.

Relieve the stress and anxiety of tax preparation by getting free tax help today!