United Way’s free tax prep program offering virtual, hybrid services (copy)
Editor’s note: As of Monday, March 13, all hybrid appointments are now full but eligible individuals and families with incomes up to $57,000 can still use the free, do-it-yourself online tool or get help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at www.myfreetaxes.com through April 15, 2021.
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Free Tax Prep program is offering free virtual or hybrid tax preparation for individuals across the region.
Clients can upload their materials and tax experts will prepare and review the return. The hybrid tax preparation entails two brief in-person appointments for residents in Greene, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Assistance from a volunteer tax preparer is available for individuals and families with a total annual income up to $57,000.
“Families in the community still need help staying afloat; many people are still looking for employment and, as a result, are experiencing food insecurity and struggling to pay for utilities and rent,” said Alena Anderson, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s United for Families program manager. “Having taxes prepared by our IRS-trained volunteers can be that lifeline these families need to receive the money they have earned and get financially back on track.”
Hundreds of volunteers have signed up to help local individuals prepare their taxes and receive various beneficial tax credits. During the 2020 tax season, almost 300 IRS-trained volunteers helped prepare roughly 8,000 tax returns. These United Way volunteers are highly trained and educated to manage the filing process, and the additional steps because of stimulus checks and unemployment benefits issued in 2020.
Many families who use United Way’s Free Tax Prep service are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a benefit for working people with low to moderate income. Taxpayers who qualify and claim the credit could pay less federal tax, pay no tax, or even get a tax refund of $500 to more than $6,000.
“This year the tax preparation process is especially complicated due to the issuing of stimulus checks and high volume of unemployment,” Anderson said. “Our United Way Free Tax Prep volunteers are extremely knowledgeable and will strive to secure the maximum refund and avoid filing errors for all of our clients.”
The services are available through April 10 by calling 211 or visiting pa211sw.org.