or 25 years now, the
non-profit organization, the Community Food Resource Center (CFRC), has
been committed to improving the lives of low-income New Yorkers through
nutrition, education and financial empowerment. Now, for the fourth year
in a row, CFRC is operating Money Central as part of their Earned Income
Tax Credit (EITC) and Free Tax Assistance campaign to help people
receive the money from the federal, state and city government that they
are entitled to. Last year, CFRC completed almost 25,000 free tax
returns for New Yorkers and brought nearly $45 million dollars into the
pockets of low-income people and into the City’s economy.
CFRC’s
EITC and free tax assistance is available to anyone who earns less than
$40,000 with dependent children and less than $20,000 without dependent
children. People who are currently employed are eligible as well as
those who aren't employed right now but worked at some time during the
year. Part-time workers and self-employed people are also eligible.
In addition to these two services, Money Central provides free of
charge several other excellent services at their twelve locations
throughout the five boroughs. Some of Money Central’s services will
begin immediately and continue throughout the tax season, while others
will begin in March. Most are offered at all twelve sites, but some are
site specific.
For example, throughout the tax season at all locations clients can
find out if they qualify for Food Stamp benefits and get help with
applying if they do. They can also receive assistance in obtaining free
or low-cost health insurance through the Mayor's Office of Health
Insurance Access (MOHIA).
Clients can open free checking and savings accounts through Money
Central’s partnership with banks and credit unions that usually do not
charge a fee or require a minimum balance. The key benefit of doing this
is that it allows a person’s tax return to be deposited directly into
their account in only 7 to 10 days. Existing partner banks and credit
unions include Homesteaders Credit Union, Neighborhood Trust, Bethex
Credit Union, Independence Bank, Greenpoint Bank, Commerce Bank and
Amalgamated Bank.
Through their partnership with The Robin Hood Organization's Single
Stop service, Money Central also enables clients to get a list of all
the benefits they qualify for in New York City based on their personal
histories and financial situations.
Money Central staff will assist clients in tax return preparation
which must accompany all IRS W-7 ITIN (Individual Tax Identification
Number) applications. Clients will be given instructions on what forms
to mail where to reach the IRS. As with all of the services mentioned
above, this assistance is provided throughout the tax season at all
locations; however, if someone is self-employed and needs assistance
with an ITIN application, they must return after March 1st.
If they are referring someone that doesn't have a W-2 form, they, too,
will most likely need to come back in March.
As to the services that will begin March 1st, at all Money
Central locations volunteers will:
Prepare back year tax returns for 2003, 2002 and 2001
Amend present and back year taxes going back to 2001 in order to
enable people to take advantage of the tax credits, etc. that they are
entitled to, and
Prepare taxes for self-employed individuals such as childcare
providers, taxi drivers, restaurant workers and others whom the IRS
considers self-employed.
Furthermore, at specific sites Money Central offers some additional
services. For instance, at the Downtown Brooklyn site, throughout the
tax season people can take part in a Refunds to Assets Program. In just
one easy step clients can automatically move part of their refund into a
savings account so they can begin building financial assets. Through
this free service, clients can split their refund and direct some of it
to their checking account and the remainder to their savings account.
Finally, at their Harlem site, clients will receive demonstrations
about healthy food, food preparation and other interesting facts while
waiting for their tax return to be filed. They will also have the
opportunity to sign up for a June through November program that brings
them farm fresh produce on a weekly basis for a small amount of money.
Food Stamps can be used for this program.
For further information about Money Central locations, hours they are
open and what to bring when coming for any of these services, call their
toll free number 1 (866) 924-3758 (1-866-WAGEPLUS).
