Free Tax Prep Program
Get your taxes done for FREE
Spring and summer appointments available for late filing
If you missed the April 17 filing deadline, you can still save your hard-earned dollars and see if you qualify for valuable state and federal tax credits. A handful of appointments are available this spring and summer for late filing.
- In person at a Sacramento area tax preparation site (if your household income was $54K or less in 2016). Schedule appointments by calling 2-1-1 (916-498-1000). See tax preparation site locations and dates listed below.
*Call 2-1-1 or (916) 498-1000 to schedule your appointment. The appointment line is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Sacramento region claims more than $10 million during the 2017 tax season through free tax prep programs
Nearly 7,500 households in the Sacramento area took advantage of United Way-led in-person free tax programs for the 2017 tax year, resulting in more than $10 million in money claimed through refunds and credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit. The free tax prep program, also known as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, helped 7,422 local households during the recent filing season. United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.com helped another 1,066 users file taxes with an average refund of $1,185.
Volunteer Spotlight
VITA: Jennifer Minett
Jennifer Minett had a lot of tax questions. With every answer she received, led to another question. After showing interest in understanding the nuances of tax law, coworker Diana Clay, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Coordinator, recommended that she take a free tax education course that certified her to do her taxes like a professional. Now three years later, she has dedicated every tax season as a VITA volunteer helping others like her once before, needed an extra hand with their finances.
Get your taxes done for FREE
In-person or online options available
See if you qualify for valuable state and federal tax credits by using one of these two FREE tax return filing services before Tuesday, April 17, this year’s tax filing deadline.
- In person at a Sacramento area tax preparation site (if your household income was $54K or less in 2017). See tax preparation site locations and dates listed below.
- Online at MyFreeTaxes.com (if your household income was $66K or less in 2017). The website sponsored by United Way and powered by H&R Block software saves users an average of $200 in tax preparation fees. All you need is a valid email address, your adjusted gross income (AGI) from the previous year, and your income forms such as a W2, 1099, 1098, etc.
To schedule your free tax preparation appointment, call 2-1-1 (for Sacramento county residents only) or (916) 498-1000 or visit www.freetaxhelp.us. If there is a specific phone number listed with a site below, please call that number directly to schedule an appointment.
Wait to file in 2018 by using free tax prep services
Educate your households on waiting until 2018 to file their taxes for free
Many paid tax preparers offer early filing services in November and December, even before workers have their official tax filing documents. With holiday pressures coming up very soon, it is tempting for many to use these services to get their refunds early.
Paying for early filing may feel painless, as many of our low-to-moderate-income families get large refunds out of which the paid preparers take the filing fees. But as we know, a couple of hundred dollars more can make a big difference for people living an emergency away from financial crisis.
Earned income tax credits provide financial breathing room for low-income families
The California Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal EITC) has helped many families in the region get more cash back in their pockets during tax season. There have been several studies that show that children in households that receive an Earned Income Tax Credit do better in school and are more likely to pursue higher education.
Single mom gets hundreds back thanks to California Earned Income Tax Credit
Heidi qualified for more than $800 in Cal EITC credits
Heidi, a single mom of two children, qualified for the VITA program and received free tax filing assistance. This saved her hundreds of dollars in tax-preparation fees at a local VITA site a couple months ago.
A couple that saves together
VITA helped Kristina and Alex save more than $160 in tax-preparation fees
Kristina and Alex, both students at Sierra College in Rocklin, qualify for the VITA program and received free tax filing assistance, saving them more than $160 in tax-preparation fees at the Super Saturday VITA kick-off event on Jan. 30.
The IRS must hold refunds for tax returns claiming EITC or ACTC until February 27
Beginning in 2017, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) on your tax return, the IRS must hold your refund until February 27. This new law, approved by Congress, requires the IRS to hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with EITC or ACTC.
This change helps ensure that you receive the refund you are owed by giving the agency more time to help detect and prevent fraud.
Sacramento region claims more than $6 million during the 2017 tax season through free tax assistance programs
Nearly 6,000 households in the Sacramento area took advantage of United Way-led free tax programs for the 2016 tax year, resulting in more than $6 million in money claimed through the Earned Income Tax Credit, other credits and refunds, and lack of tax preparation fees. The in-person Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, led by United Way California Capital Region in this area, helped 4,863 local households, and United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.com helped 1,011 users file taxes with an average refund of $1,654.
Meet VITA Volunteer Javier Romero
Helping people one tax return at a time
The success of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is not possible without the tremendous support of our VITA volunteers. They go through countless hours of training, dedicate their weekday and weekends to filing returns, and help families save hundreds of dollars in tax preparation fees. While most volunteers have been filing their own taxes for years, Javier Romero began helping individuals and families long before he had to file his own taxes.
Thank you to our VITA sponsors and partners
A big thank you to the companies and organizations that make our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) work possible. Their financial contributions are helping local residents save money for the things that matter most and receive credits like the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits.
About Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is national and offers free help to people who make a limited income and need help preparing their tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic tax return preparation with electronic filing. Volunteers inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
Locally, United Way California Capital Region and our partners offer myfreetaxes.comto help local residents save money during tax season.