1199SEIU Funds

Category: Financial and Social Services News

  • Get the most out of your tax refund

    Get the most out of your tax refund

    Get the most out of your tax refund

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    Connect with organizations that can help make sure you:

    • Prepare your taxes securely;
    • Apply for any income-based credits and deductions you’ve earned; and
    • File for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), if you qualify.

    Assistance is available onsite through the following organizations at various locations (for in-person and drop-off services) or through your home computer (for online services).

    Our Partners

    The Campaign for Working Families, in partnership with the Food Bank For New York City

    If your 2024 household income was below $67,000 (with or without dependents), the Campaign for Working Families—an IRS-certified provider with 20+ years’ experience—in collaboration with the Food Bank For New York City, is offering free tax preparation events. In-person and drop-off tax preparation services are available at sites throughout the city, and you can also take advantage of online tax preparation services from the comfort of your home. Find out more.

    Ariva

    If your 2024 household income was below $65,000 (or $35,000 if you are single and have no dependents), Ariva is also offering free in-person tax preparation events at sites throughout the Bronx. Find out more.

    NYC Free Tax Prep

    If your 2024 household income was below $93,000 (or $65,000 if you are single and have no dependents), the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment is offering free tax preparation events. You can choose in-person or drop-off tax preparation services at sites throughout the five boroughs, and you may also take advantage of online tax preparation services from the comfort of your home. Find out more.

    Claim Your EITC

    Find out whether you meet the income requirements for the EITC by using the 2024 tax guidelines listed below:
    • Income below $59,899 ($66,819 if married, filing a joint return) with three or more dependent children
    • Income below $55,768 ($62,688 if married, filing a joint return) with two dependent children
    • Income below $49,084 ($56,004 if married, filing a joint return) with one dependent child
    • Income below $18,591 ($22,511 if married, filing a joint return) with no dependent children

    If Your Household Income Is Below $93,000, You Can Visit One of These Organizations for Free Tax Preparation in the Five Boroughs

    If you have specific deductions or a potentially complex return, call or email your selected tax preparation organization to confirm that they can provide you with free tax preparation.

    You CAN receive free tax preparation assistance even if you itemize the following deductions:

    • Medical and dental expenses
    • State and local property or sales tax you paid
    • Interest on your mortgage and/or investments
    • Gifts to charity
    • Certain work-related expenses

    You CANNOT receive free tax preparation assistance if:

    For all in-person and drop-off services, both the Campaign for Working Families/Food Bank For New York City and Ariva require appointments. Some NYC Tax Prep sites also require appointments. Visit www.cwfphilly.org/tax-site/, www.Ariva.org or www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-your-taxes.page for details.

    Make an Appointment or Get Online Help Now

    Option 1: In-person Tax Preparation Services

    Filing Your Taxes with the Help of a Tax Expert

    In-person services with one-on-one electronic filing (e-filing) are available, at no charge, at tax preparation sites. A knowledgeable Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified tax preparer will sit with you to complete an accurate tax return. The tax preparer will review your information with you and help you file your taxes, as well as file for the EITC if you qualify. The Campaign for Working Families, by partnering with the Food Bank For New York City, will provide this service if your 2024 household income was below $67,000 (with or without dependents). Appointments are required. To learn about locations and hours and to make an appointment, visit www.cwfphilly.org/tax-site. If you have questions, call (646) 981-6111. Ariva will also offer this service at several Bronx locations if your 2024 household income was $65,000 or less (or $35,000 or less if you are single and have no dependents). Appointments are required. To make an appointment, call (718) 292-2983 or e-mail info@ariva.org. NYC Free Tax Prep, offered by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment, will provide this service if your 2024 household income was below $93,000 (or $65,000 or less if you are single and have no dependents). Some sites require appointments. To learn about locations and hours and to make an appointment, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-your-taxes.page.
    Option 2: Drop-off Tax Preparation Services

    E-filing Your Taxes with Onsite Help

    Drop-off services with one-on-one telephonic electronic filing (e-filing) are available, at no charge, at tax preparation sites. When you drop off your income- and tax-related documents, a certified tax preparer will scan them so that your taxes can be prepared at a later time. The tax preparer will then call you to review your information and help you file your taxes, as well as file for the EITC if you qualify. The Campaign for Working Families, by partnering with the Food Bank For New York City, will provide this service if your 2024 household income was below $67,000 (with or without dependents). Appointments are required. To learn about locations and hours and to make an appointment, visit www.cwfphilly.org/tax-site/. If you have questions, call (646) 981-6111. NYC Free Tax Prep, offered by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment, will provide this service if your 2023 household income was below $93,000 (or $65,000 or less if you are single and have no dependents). Some sites require appointments. For information about locations, hours and appointments, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-your-taxes.page.

    Here’s how drop-off e-filing works:

    1. Only the person(s) filing will be allowed on the premises (the only exceptions are caregivers and children). You will also need to bring everything listed in the section “What You Need to Have Your Taxes Prepared.”
    2. A site volunteer will verify your identity, review your income- and tax-related documents, and ask you to complete an intake form.
    3. Your documents will be securely scanned so that an onsite certified tax preparer can process your tax return at a later time.
    4. Your certified tax preparer will call you within 48 to 72 hours to go over your tax return and complete the e-filing process.
    5. Your tax return will be electronically filed! You must have access to a computer and an email address, because the link to your completed tax return will be sent by email. If you do not have an active email, you will receive an appointment to pick up a copy of your return.
    Option 3: Online Tax Preparation Services

    E-filing Your Taxes Remotely

    As long as your 2024 household income was below $67,000 (with or without dependents), the Campaign for Working Families, by partnering with the Food Bank For New York City, also offers the free Virtual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (Virtual VITA) program for convenient electronic filing (e-filing) from your home. Visit www.cwfphilly.org/tax-site/ for more information. If your 2024 household income was below $93,000 (or $65,000 if you are single and have no dependents), the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Financial Empowerment will provide this service through NYC Free Tax Prep. For a list of providers visit www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-your-taxes.page.

    Here’s how online e-filing works:

    1. You must have access to a computer, an email address and a cell phone (preferably a smartphone) to use this option.
    2. You will receive an appointment for a video chat, during which you will verify your identity.
    3. You will then be asked to complete an online intake form and to upload your income- and tax-related documents using a secure link.
    4. A Quality Reviewer, who is a certified tax preparer, will schedule a call with you to review and confirm the information on your tax return.
    5. After the Quality Review, you will be asked to sign an authorization to file your tax return so it can be electronically filed. You will then receive an email with the link to your completed tax return.
    Other Resources for Onsite Tax Help

    Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 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 assistance. Just call the VITA Site Locator Hotline at (800) 906-9887 or use the VITA Site Locator Tool to locate your nearest VITA site and find hours of operation and contact numbers.

    AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

    The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing in-person, drop-off and virtual tax preparation services at no charge to taxpayers with low and moderate income, especially those who are age 60 or older. For more information, visit https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org. (Make sure you read the section that explains what documents you need to have your taxes prepared.) You can also visit https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations or call AARP at (888) 687-2277 to find a site near you.

    Members who need help making an appointment at one of the tax locations may contact their Outreach Coordinator by emailing OutreachAssistance@1199Funds.org. Home Care members can reach out to their Outreach Coordinator by visiting here.

    For More Information, Including Free Tax Preparation Sites

    For National Benefit Fund and Greater New York Benefit Fund Members

    (In English, en español, На русском языке, nan lang Kreyòl, 中文) Tax Preparation Sites: Long Island | New Jersey | Westchester

    For Home Care Members

    Regardless of your status, all Home Care members are eligible to receive free tax preparation assistance—even if you don’t receive health benefits. (In English, en español, На русском языке, nan lang Kreyòl, 中文) Tax Preparation Sites: Long Island | New Jersey | Westchester
  • Financial Wellness and Homebuyer Education

    Financial Wellness and Homebuyer Education

    If you’re looking to buy a home – or stay in the home you already own – repair your credit, pay down your debt or just learn more about how to manage your money and make sound financial decisions, our Financial Wellness and Homebuyer Education Program is the place to turn.

    Purchasing a home is one of the most complicated — and costly — decisions you may make. Your Benefit Fund can help take the guesswork out of the process. Our staff will help you secure an affordable, low-interest mortgage from a lender you can trust. And, if you’re vested in the Health Care Employees Pension Fund or the Greater New York Pension Fund, you may be able to borrow from your pension to cover the closing costs for a house, co-op or condominium.

    Home Ownership Opportunities & Support Resources

    Find programs run by New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development as well as by our partners at non-profit agencies and other organizations that offer homebuying assistance.

    Pension Fund Home Loan Program

    The Pension Fund Home Loan Program allows eligible members to borrow against their defined benefit pension to help cover the down payment or closing costs of purchasing a new home. This means taking a loan secured by your pension that must be repaid on time and in full.

    To be eligible to borrow against your pension, you must:

    • Be employed by a participating employer in the program;
    • Be vested in the 1199SEIU Health Care Employees Pension Fund or the 1199SEIU Greater New York Pension Fund; and
    • Be an active member of the 1199SEIU Health Care Employees Pension Fund or the 1199SEIU Greater New York Pension Fund (an employer is contributing on your behalf to the Pension Fund in which you are vested).

    In order to determine whether you are eligible to borrow against your pension through the Pension Fund Home Loan Program, you must first email the Financial Wellness and Homebuyer Education Program at FinancialWellness@1199Funds.org or call (646) 473-6484 to speak with one of our program representatives. Your eligibility to participate in the program will be reviewed and details will be provided about the terms and conditions of the Pension Fund Home Loan Program.

    If you are eligible to participate, you must fill out a Request for Pension Loan Estimate form, which is used to help determine the amount you are eligible to borrow. If you decide to apply for the loan after receiving this information, you must submit the following documents:

    • A fully executed contract of sale;
    • A signed mortgage loan commitment letter from your lender; and
    • Written proof (e.g., a letter from your attorney) of a closing date for all purchase transactions.

    After the documents you submitted have been verified and approved, you must complete a Direct Deposit Election Form, which specifies the name of the bank and the type of account (either checking or savings) where your one-time pension loan should be deposited.