:: FoodChange ::

FoodChange runs an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Free Tax Assistance Campaign to educate low-income New Yorkers about the tax credits to which they are legally entitled and prepare their taxes for free provided they meet certain income thresholds. The most significant of these tax credits is the EITC, the nation’s largest anti-poverty program, which can be worth up to $6,360 for individuals and families.

FoodChange works with a variety of partners—the City of New York, the Internal Revenue Service, the corporate sector, community organizations and unions—to complete these tax returns free of charge and secure these tax benefits for low-wage earners.

New Yorkers are eligible for free tax assistance if they earn $40,000 or less with dependent children, or $20,000 or less without dependent children. In addition, self-employed people, such as taxi drivers and childcare providers are eligible for tax credits and free tax preparation.

FoodChange offers our services at 12 seasonal centers in all five boroughs. The campaign takes place during the January-April tax season. For late filings, prior-year returns and other financial and budgetary advice, FoodChange’s Food & Finance Center in Harlem is open year-round to provide assistance.

Since inception in 2001, the program has prepared and filed 160,000 tax returns and secured more than $300 million in tax refunds for New York’s low-income individuals and households. In 2007 alone, FoodChange prepared more than 42,000 tax returns and secured over $80 million in tax benefits and credits—which went back into the pockets of New York’s working poor. Check back for details from 2008.