Free Tax Prep Program

Personal documents

• • Valid, government Photo ID for you (and your spouse if filing jointly), for example, driver’s license, non-driver’s license, passport
  • Social Security Cards, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letters for EVERYONE on the return.
  • Birthdates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return
  • For faster returns: Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a voided check or a letter from the bank knowledge that it is a checking or savings account
  • 2023 tax return, if you have it and have not filed with PEACE, Inc. before

*Note:
If married and filing with your spouse, both you and your spouse must arrive together for the appointment.
If you are married but filing separately from your spouse, in order for you to efile, you will need your spouse’s name, date of birth, and social security number.

Income
Bring all documents that apply.

Employment Income

• • W-2 form(s) for all jobs last year

Self-Employment Income

• • 1099-NEC and/or 1099-K
  • Records of income not reported on 1099 forms
  • Records of expenses including receipts
  • credit statements totaled.
  • Record of estimated tax payments
  • Mileage you traveled for work

Retirement Income

• • SSA-1099 form for Social Security benefits
  • 1099-R for pension/IRA/annuity income

Unemployment Income

• • 1099-G for unemployment benefits

Other sources of income

• • 1099-G for refund of state/local income taxes
  • 1098-T for scholarships/fellowships for you or your dependents
  • 1099-R or SSA-1099 for disability income
  • Income or loss from the sale of stocks, bonds, or real estate
  • Alimony received
  • Statements for prizes or lottery/gambling winnings along with losses (letter from casino)
  • Interest and dividend statements from banks
  • Records for any other income

Expenses

You may be able to claim tax deductions for some of the expenses you have. These deductions reduce the income you are taxed on. Bring documentation for all of the following expenses you have.

• • Retirement contributions, including a 401(k) or IRA
  • State and local taxes you’ve paid
  • Mortgage statements, and property and school tax bills if you are a homeowner
  • College tuition (1098-T) and student loan statements (Form 1098-E)
  • Childcare expenses, including payment records or receipts and provider’s name, address, and federal tax ID number (either their Social Security Number or Employment Identification Number)
  • Receipts for charitable donations paid by cash or check
  • Medical and dental paid bills
  • Records for supplies used as an educator
  • Health saving account contributions and expenses 1099-SA

Other Tax Documents or Notices

• • Form 1095-A if you had coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (not Medicaid)
  • Anything that says “IMPORTANT TAX DOCUMENT”

What You Will Need

• • Tax year
  • Social security number or ITIN
  • Your filing status
  • Your exact refund amount
  • For State only: Form you filed – Choose IT-201

For your Federal Refund Status Visit: https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp
For your State Refund Status Visit:  https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/file/refund.htm

*You will need to know your AGI from your 2023 tax return. Line 11 from the Form 1040.

NYS Inflation Rebate Check

The 2025/2026 New York State budget provides for the state’s first-ever inflation refund checks. If you qualify for a payment, you do not need to do anything; we will automatically send you a check. Checks will be mailed (no direct deposit) over a period of several weeks starting at the end of September 2025.

Am I eligible?
You are eligible for a refund check if, for tax year 2023, you:

• filed Form IT-201, NYS Resident Income Tax Return; (You lived in NYS all of 2023)
  • If you have not filed a 2023 NYS tax return, you will NOT receive a check.
    • You may have not file your 2023 NYS return since you are not liable to do so (i.e. only receive Social Security, DSS benefits are your only income, or you do not have any income at all.)
• reported income within the qualifying thresholds below; and
• were NOT claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

How much of a refund will I receive?
The amount of your refund check depends on your income and filing status for the 2023 tax year:

Refund amount by filing status and income

When will I get my check?
Checks will begin being mailed out at the end of September 2025. It will take a number of weeks for them to be mailed. Checks may arrive sooner or later than your neighbors, as mailings are not based on zip code or region. A specific delivery schedule is not provided. Reminder, there will be no direct deposit for the inflation rebate. It is only paid out by check.

I moved since I filed my 2024 tax return. What do I do
You must update your address at https://www.tax.ny.gov/help/contact/address.htm.

How do I get a NYS Inflation Refund Check if I did not file a 2023 NYS tax return?
You MUST file a 2023 NYS return to be eligible for a check.
Most people who did not file was due to only having Social Security benefits, DSS benefits, or had no income at all. If you receive Social Security benefits, you will need to get a copy of your 2023 SSA-1099 form from the Social Security Administration. Call 800-772-1213 to get this form.

How do I file a 2023 New York State Tax Return?
PEACE, Inc. FREE Tax Prep can prepare and file your 2023 NYS tax return for free.
We are located at 1201 E Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
We only accept clients with an appointment. We do not accept walk-ins. In this off-season our days and hours vary.
You must call 315.634.3756 to make an appointment to file your 2023 NYS tax return.

What should I expect and need for my appointment:
There will be some required paperwork to be filled out when you arrive for your appointment.

You MUST bring the following items:
– Photo ID:
Valid/unexpired government issued (a driver’s license or non-driver ID) for both yourself and spouse if married filing jointly
– Social Security cards and birthdates (not birth certificate):
For EVERYONE on the tax return, if no SSN then ITIN number
If you are married filing separately (not legally divorced or legally separated) with no children need date of birth and SSN for your spouse if you want to file electronically.
– All income forms from 2023:
Most filing will only have Social Security or DSS benefits. Those who only receive DSS benefits, you do not need to provide paperwork from DSS.
Social Security/Social Security Disability Income – (SSA-1099 or 1099-R)
W2-Wages (not your last pay stub)
1099s for Pension, interest, dividends, misc. income, stock sales
Unemployment 1099-G (online only, they must go online to their account to retrieve this form)
Other income like Gambling winnings/loss statements, Jury Duty, Alimony (etc.)

After I file my 2023 NYS tax return, when should I expect my check?
We were told by the New York State Taxation Department for newly filed 2023 returns, your check would be sent out after the return has been processed and verified for eligibility.

Is there a deadline for receiving my Inflation Rebate Check?
We were told that there is not a deadline date as of now to receive your rebate check. However, the general rule for receiving money tied to a tax return is three years from that tax year’s filing deadline. Our best advice is to file sooner than later.