Free Tax Preparation

Your driver’s license or other photo identification, your social security card, a W-2, 1099 or earned income statements, last year’s tax filing documents, dependents’ social security card, childcare records, medical expenses, and educational expenses. Learn more here.

No, our services are completely free for individuals who qualify.

We can help you save money and get money back on your taxes.*

On average, our clients save $200 in preparer fees. Plus, our team will help you maximize your return, often earning clients thousands of dollars in credits through CalEITC and federal Earned Income Tax Credits. Last year, we helped 9,000 families in our region file for free and claim more than $11 million in credits.

*Amount varies based on filing status and qualifying children.

The first step is to complete the online questionnaire and upload your documents, which can take as little as 30 minutes. A United Way volunteer will then schedule a call with you within two to three days to review your information and prepare your tax return. A second volunteer will set up another call with you to review your tax packet and confirm all information has been received and is correct. Finally, you will receive your final packet and sign through your online portal.

We offer both in-person and virtual filing assistance.

You will need to choose the “I need assistance” option above. At that point, you can navigate the website in English or Spanish. When a volunteer calls you after receiving your documents, you can request assistance in English, Spanish or Russian.

We recommend that you file your return on-time to avoid any penalties and late fees.

Yes. We protect your personal information and all tax returns are confidential. We do not share your data with any third parties.

All of our volunteers are IRS-certified and must complete mandatory training.

Prepare your tax returns at Myfreetaxes.com, a free resource for preparing most basic tax returns for both federal and state filing.

You may qualify for up to $6,500 in CalEITC and federal Earned Income Tax Credits if your household earned less than $30,000. Plus, families with children under the age of 6 may also qualify for an additional $1,000 with the new Young Child Tax Credit. Learn more.

You can find out what you need to know about the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) the refundable portion, and the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) at the IRS Website.

Advance payments were sent automatically to eligible people. View the amounts received HERE.

Through our virtual filing program, we can assist clients needing to file 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax returns.

It’s simple! Fill out this form to get the process started and a staff member will reach out!

Date: TBD

Workshops are available to provide free tax help in person. To register for our in-person event, participants will need to call 2-1-1 or (916) 498-1000 to register.

211 is a vital service that connects communities to local organizations and resources able to address problems such as housing, utilities, mental health, transportation, and much more. For more information go to 211.org or call 2-1-1 on any local area coded phone.

In partnership with VITA and United Way, SMUD is here to help you. We understand that many customers still face financial difficulties the lasting and continue to make every effort to help our customers keep their power on. To prevent disconnections, please take advantage of our financial assistance programs, flexible payment plans and other community resources to help you with your SMUD bill. Learn more at http://smud.org/HereToHelp. For eligible low-income customers, we offer the Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR). This program provides eligible customers with a monthly discount based on household size and income at the time of application.

Learn more at:
We’re Here to Help
Estamos aquí para ayudar en Español 
EAPR Discount
Programa de Asistencia de EnergÍa en Español
MED Rate
Descuento para equipos medicos en Español
Clean PowerCity
Clean PowerCity en Español

Sacramento’s Financial Empowerment Center offers free, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to address your unique circumstances.

• Access needed resources
• Improve credit
• Reduce debt
• Save money for emergencies and opportunities (home purchase, business development, education, retirement)
• Find and use safe, affordable and convenient financial services and products
• Learn budget skills
• Identify resources to help you save money — free tax preparation, housing support, home energy assistance

Caring support from trained professionals to achieve your financial goals. Click here to watch a short video.

No income restrictions, FREE to all Sacramento County residents. Services available in English and Spanish, with interpretation available in other languages upon request.

To request an FEC navigation or coaching appointment, email [email protected] or call 916-808-4927. All appointments will be remote via phone or video at this time.