From January to March, 1199SEIU Maryland/DC offered free tax preparation and e-filing to members and their families who fit certain income criteria—making it easy and fast to get their taxes done. Tax preparers also helped members receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and maximize their refund potential.Cynthia Gourdine, a 15-year Delegate and dietary aide at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, is just one of hundreds of members who took advantage of this value-added benefit this year.“I’ve been getting my taxes done at 1199 for the last five years,” said Ms. Gourdine. “I used to go to H&R Block, but it saves me money to get them done at the Union since it’s free.”Gourdine isn’t the only person in her family to take advantage of this free service: three of her adult children have also started getting their taxes done at the Union. “I tell everyone to get their taxes done here,” she said.This year’s tax program has earned $800,000 in federal and state refunds for 287 Union members in the Maryland/DC region. The program also prepares and files taxes for the public, and has served a total of 712 members and local residents, garnering over $1.8 million in refunds to date.- See more at: http://www.1199seiu.org/members_benefit_from_free_tax_service#sthash.c83IpFMv.dpuf