2023 Tax Preparation Program

For Individuals with Vision Impairment and Blindness

Lighthouse Guild continues to serve people who are visually impaired by aiding with filing their 2023 federal, state and city income tax returns through a partnership with the IRS and the Foodbank for New York City.

There are three options for having your taxes completed:

1. CONTACTLESS IN-PERSON – This will be the option for most clients. We will have a volunteer on site who would assist with uploading documents to the tax preparation portal for the tax preparer to remotely receive your documents. In-person appointments begin February 5, 2024, and end April 4, 2024. In approximately one week after your taxes have been uploaded to the system, you will be contacted to review and/or sign the return either virtually or in person. The client must come to the Lighthouse Guild located at 250 West 64th Street and meet with an Intake Specialist. This is not a drop off service.
2. REMOTE END-TO-END VIRTUAL – This is a 100% virtual filing option that allows you to complete the entire tax filing process without having to go to the intake site. The link below, would allow you to fill out the intake forms and upload your documents to the portal using your computer/ laptop tablet or smartphone. If you feel comfortable with this option, follow the appropriate link below or the QR Code at the end of this document to begin the process.

Please note, after you read the directions, you must have all your documents before you begin the upload, you cannot go back and will have to start again. Once you complete the upload, you will be contacted in approximately one week to review and sign the return.

3. IN-PERSON WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE – There will be a limited number of slots for visually impaired clients who exceed the $65,000 income ceiling. Priority in this option will be given to those who do not meet the Food Bank income criteria.The tax preparer will be available at Lighthouse Guild (located at 250 West 64th Street.) A volunteer will contact clients when this schedule is available to set up appointments.

An appointment is required for the contactless in person appointment with the intake volunteers and for the in person with social distancing with the tax preparer. Appointments with the intake volunteers and the tax preparer are available on a first come, first serve basis.

To make an appointment, please contact Lighthouse Guild’s Reading Services Program at 646-874-8683, Monday through Friday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. If you schedule an appointment on site, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to allow for check in at the Lighthouse Guild Lobby Reception Desk.

Appointments with intake volunteers will take approximately 60 minutes. Appointments with a tax preparer may take up two 2-3 hours, depending on the types of income you have. The intake volunteers and tax preparer will do their best to expedite your return as quickly as possible, but you may experience a brief waiting time.

Important personal documents that you need to bring with you include:

1. Picture ID for you and your spouse (if filling jointly).
2. Social Security card for you and your spouse (if filing jointly) or ITIN letter for everyone you are claiming on your return.
3. W-2 forms (last paystub not accepted).
4. Certificate of legal blindness or letter from your eye care physician to attach to the federal form (If you are filing for the first time, you may obtain a certificate from the New York State Commission for the Blind).
5. A copy of your 2022 tax returns.
6. All 1099-SS forms you received.
7. All 1099-G forms for unemployment.
8. All other forms 1099 received.
9. 1095-A if you purchased health insurance through the marketplace.
10. Letter stating the amount of Economic Impact Payment (commonly referred to stimulus checks) received in 2020 and 2021 if filing for these years.
11. Letter stating the amount of Advanced Child Tax Credit received in 2021 (received by those who claimed children on their tax return) if filing for 2021. (Note: There was no advanced CTC in 2023).
12. A sample check or bank statement with routing and account number for direct deposit.
13. Total of any charitable contributions you made and any mortgage interest and real estate taxes you paid on your home or co-op or condominium, to determine if you may be eligible to itemize deductions.

To make the best use of your time, please check to see that you have all your items prior to your appointment and before submitting your documents to the intake volunteers or tax preparer. It will also help if you arrange your documents in logical groupings.

Self-employed individuals should bring proof of:

1. Gross purchases (dollar value) of items purchased for sale.
2. Gross sales (dollar value) of items SOLD.
3. Net income (#2 minus #1).
4. Itemized business expenses with corresponding amounts.

Please note: Anyone who has more than $65,000 in in come has a large Schedule D (stock market), pays alimony, has student loan interest, or capital loss carryover, is not eligible to use the Food Bank program.

Instead, you will be directed to one of the limited onsite slots we have for people with income above $65,000.

Anyone who has rental income and expenses or investments in partnerships or S Corporations (Schedule E transactions) or earns income in Puerto Rico or a foreign country are not eligible for the Food Bank program or the slots with the tax preparer for people with income above $65,000.

Alternatively, you should contact an accountant to assist you with your tax return.

Priority for this service is given to Lighthouse Guild clients and people who are visually impaired or blind. Non-visually impaired customers will be serviced if appointments are available. Lighthouse Guild, its employees, and volunteers, are not responsible for any misplaced or lost documents or personal papers.