Make sure your tax refund is all it can be with the Earned Income Tax Credit

1199SEIU and the National Benefit Fund are again making available a free tax prep program for members, so they can pay only the taxes they owe and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a tax refund for lowto- moderate income families. Since its inception in 1999, the program has helped members in NYC alone file for $100 million dollars in tax refunds. The program works with professional tax preparers to help members prepare their taxes and is free of charge. Below is what you’ll need to file for the EITC and site locations, dates and times. Call the listed numbers for more information.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING TO FILE FOR THE EITC:

• Your spouse. If you are filing a joint return, your spouse must be present.

• Government-issued photo ID

• Social Security card

• All applicable forms from 2019, including W-2, 1099, 1098-T, 1095-A, 1095-B/1095-C,1098 and 1098-E.

• Tax Employer Identification Number and SSN of your child care provider if you are claiming child care expenses

• Sample check with routing number if you’d like direct deposit of your refund

• Amounts of any other income such as jury fees or gambling winnings

• A copy of last year’s tax returns

SITE LOCATIONS:

Florida

Call Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to locate sites near you.

If you can’t find a convenient site near you, there are additional Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites that offer free tax preparation. Just call the VITA Site Locator Hotline at (800) 906- 9887 or use the VITA Site Locator Tool at www.IRS.gov/Individuals/ Find-a-Location-for-Free-Tax- Prep to locate your nearest VITA site and find hours of operation and contact numbers.

Maryland
Baltimore
January 28 - April 15
611 North Eutaw Street
Tuesday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: Closed

*No walk-ins or drop offs.
Call (443) 449-2019 to make an appointment.

Massachusetts
January 29 - April 15

Springfield
1199SEIU Office
20 Maple Street
Mondays: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Quincy
1199SEIU Office
108 Myrtle Street, First Fl.
Wednesdays: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursdays: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call (617) 284-1188 to make an appointment.

Upstate New York

Buffalo
January 27 - April 15
2421 Main Street, Suite 100
Monday to Thursday: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call (716) 982-0540 to make an appointment.

Carthage
March 7
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Carthage Area Hospital
Call (315) 287-9013, ext. 11 to make an appointment.

Gouverneur
February 1 - April 4
93 E. Main Street
Monday and Thursday: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call (315) 287-9013, ext. 11 to make an appointment.

Plattsburgh
February 14 -16
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, 1199SEIU Office Call (315) 287-9013, ext. 11 to make an appointment.

Rochester
January 28 - April 15
1199SEIU Office
259 Monroe Ave, Suite 220
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
*Please note that the first Tuesday at this location is March 3rd.

Strong Memorial Hospital
601 Elmwood Ave.
February 4 - 25
Tuesdays in February: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Call (585) 730-6433 to make an appointment.

Syracuse
January 27 - April 15
250 S. Clinton St.
Monday - Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Call (315) 295-1822 to make an appointment.

Downstate New York and New Jersey

Members in New Jersey and downstate New York, including New York City, Westchester County and Long Island can go to www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ EITC for information about EITC tax free preparation site locations, their hours of operation, and contact information. Other resources and information are available on the NBF website.

- 1199 Magazine: January / February 2020