Mention W-2s and 1040s, and most people grit their teeth at the thought of tax preparation. Mention it to Wendy Garcia and she’ll tell you what it can mean — thousands of dollars back, painlessly.

“I was really grateful,” said Garcia, a Lehman College student, about the sizable sum her family will get back thanks to Money Site, a nonprofit tax preparation program sponsored by the Enterprise Foundation.

Each year, thousands of low-income residents fail to claim money they are entitled to on their tax returns. City residents took home a total of $1.4 billion last year from one deduction, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), but a further $500 million went unclaimed, according to Food Change, an advocacy group.

Food Change is but one organization that runs programs in the area to help residents get the maximum back on their returns. Operated by nonprofits, these services are far cheaper than commercial preparers, and many offer additional services like benefit applications and financial planning assistance.

“Many people think they have to pay H & R Block to get a bigger refund,” said Erika Martinez, a North Fordham resident who staffs the local Money Site at Fordham Bedford Children’s Services. “But that’s not true.”

No matter who is filing the returns, preparers all look to see if applicants are eligible for certain tax credits. One of the most lucrative is EITC, which this year is worth up to $5,800 for low-income individuals with children. Workers earning up to $19,000 receive the biggest refund, but those making up to $35,000 may also qualify.

There are EITCs available on federal, state and, as of this year, city returns. To easily check your eligibility, the IRS has started an EITC assessment tool on its Web site in English and Spanish (irs.gov).

The possible savings doesn’t end there, however. Many low-income residents are eligible for credits associated with childcare, education, and dependent expenses.

Garcia filed for her mother, who is a home health aide, and by accessing the EITC and other credits, they netted over $3,000 in refunds. The other day at Money Site, a woman with a family of four got back $9,000, according to Martinez.

But no matter how sizable the return, much of it can get swallowed up in hidden fees or handling rates. “Most of these income tax places try to scam you out of money,” Garcia said. “They charge you ridiculous rates.”

Money Site only charges $24.95 for its services and, for those earning less than $40,000, Food Change’s help is free.

Both groups do more than just help fill out tax forms. Martinez also provides financial planning services, guidance on saving for a home, business or college, and help on opening a bank account. “We encourage participants to save a portion of their refund,” she said.

Food Change can also access missed refunds on the last three years of an individual’s taxes, and help undocumented or self-employed workers file their returns.

Both sites are experiencing steady traffic as April 15, tax day, looms. Martinez estimates that she has seen between five and nine clients a day for the past few weeks. Last year, Food Change completed over 24,000 tax returns citywide, amounting to $45 million in refunds and $4 million in savings from preparation fees.

Garcia has no doubt she will use Money Site’s services again next year. “It was really simple and quick,” she said. “I’ll definitely go back.”