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Free Tax Prep

Do you qualify for the $3,600 Child Tax Credit?

Is my child eligible?

To be eligible, children must:

    • Have a Social Security Number.
    • Live with you for at least half of the year.
    • Be under age 18 as of December 31, 2021.

How much money can my family get?

$3,600 ($300 a month) per child for children ages 0-5.
$3,000 ($250 a month) per child for children ages 6-17.

Children Smiling

How will the payments work?

Most families can start receiving $250 – $300 a month per child from July through December 2021. Families will get the remaining $1,500 – $1,800 per child when they file their 2021 taxes in Spring 2022. The Child Tax Credit will NOT affect your Medicaid, SNAP/Food Stamps, TANF Cash Assistance, SSI or other public benefits.

How do I get the credit?

You will automatically receive Child Tax Credit payments if you filed your 2019 or 2020 taxes and claimed your children, or if you used the non-filer tool to claim Economic Impact Payments and claimed your children.

If you haven’t filed taxes, but should, you can file on MyFreeTaxes.com (linked below) or contact us and we can assist you with filing. If you are not usually required to file taxes, you can use the IRS’ Non-Filer Tool, link below. To use this tool you will just need your children’s social security number, basic information about yourself, and information about where you would like your payments sent (either checks to be mailed, or direct deposit to a bank account).

What if I don’t usually file taxes?

You do not need to have any earnings to get the credit. Families qualify for a full credit if their income is below $75,000 for single filers, $112,000 for people filing as head of household, or $150,000 for people who are married and filing jointly. Just use the IRS Non-Filer Tool, linked below.

Interested in Becoming a Tax-Aide Volunteer?

Sign up Today

Taxes Done for Free

United Way, Ca$h Coalition and PEACE, Inc. trains and supports volunteers who prepare and e-file tax returns for people with low to moderate-income so that they can receive the largest refund possible and access all eligible tax credits.

Location:
1201 E Fayette St,
Suite 22
Syracuse, NY 13210

Phone: 315.634.3756
Email: taxes@peace-caa.org.

Hours of Service:
Monday thru Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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Do You Qualify for Free Tax Preparation?
  • Your total 2020 household income is $57,000 or less and Investment income is less than $3,500 and
  • Resident of Onondaga County and
  • You had income in 2020 from wages, self-employment, pension, or government benefits and
  • You do not own rental property and
  • You did not declare bankruptcy in 2020 and
  • You did not receive military pay and
  • If you are self-employed, you did not have employees or inventory, you do not deduct your home as an expense, and you did not have a business loss. (FYI…You cannot deduct actual expenses, such as your business vehicle maintenance (i.e., oil changes, brakes, and tires).  These expenses are built-in with the IRS standard mileage rate of 58 cents per business mile.)
You will need to bring the following documents with you:
  • Driver’s License, New York State ID, or Picture ID for you (and your spouse if filing jointly)
  • Social Security Cards & Birth dates of everyone listed on your tax return
  • Wage & earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers
  • Form SSA-1099 for Social Security
  • Interest & dividends statements from banks (forms 1099)
  • Total paid to daycare & daycare’s Tax ID# (providers Social Security # or business employer ID#)
  • Forms 1095-A, B, or C for Health Insurance
  • For sole proprietors/independent contractors, you did not have a business loss, no employees & your business expenses were less than $10,000. Please bring a summary sheet of your gross income and an itemized list of any expenses.
  • Receipts for up to $300 in cash donations to charity
  • Copy of 2019 federal & state returns, if available
  • For faster returns: Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check
  • Education: Education Credits (1098-T) 2018 statement of account from an educational institution
  • Student loan interest deduction (1098-E)

IF YOU DON’T QUALIFY FOR EITC, but your Adjusted Gross Income is less than $66,000, you can prepare your own federal and NYS income tax returns for free by visiting the link below. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns starting February.

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Volunteers are still needed to help prepare tax returns. For more information, contact Project Manager Ralph Lyke at 315.634.3756 or taxes@peace-caa.org.