Free tax help available through United Way
Published on Tue, Jan 12, 2010Read More Communities
United Way of Snohomish County is expanding its free tax preparation and electronic filing services to help more low-income individuals and families claim tax refunds and credits.
United Way free tax preparation sites open Jan. 21, with location available in Everett, Lynnwood and Monroe. Trained and certified volunteers will be on hand to complete basic income tax returns through April 15. Electronic filing means any refunds an individual or family is owed come back much more quickly, usually within 10 business days. No appointment is necessary.
Free tax preparation services will be available at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood; North Middle School, 2514 Rainier Ave., Everett; South Everett Foursquare, 14 E Casino Road, Ste. D, Everett; and Frank Wagner Elementary School, 115 Dickinson Road, Monroe.
Certified volunteers prepared 1,274 tax returns last year at United Way tax preparation sites for a total of $2.1 million in refunds. With the addition of an a fourth full-time site this year, United Way is hoping to increase the number of families served.
The primary purpose of the sites is to serve low- to moderate-income families claim tax credits they may not even know they qualify for. One such credit-the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) -can be worth up to $5,657 cash back for eligible families with children. The EITC has been credited with lifting more children out of poverty than any other federal program. Even individuals and families who don't earn enough to be required to file a claim may receive money back, but only if they file.
It is estimated that as much as $10 million in EITC goes unclaimed each year in Snohomish County alone. Last year, more than 92 percent of families who received the credit spent it on items such as food, housing, utilities and health care. That promises a huge potential to increase families' ability to afford the basic needs for themselves and positively impacts the local economy by of bringing federal dollars into the community.
Tax clients need to bring a valid picture ID, W-2 forms and 1099s showing all income, Social Security cards or Individual Tax Payer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all dependents, and bank account information for a direct deposit of tax refund.
Only basic individual taxes are prepared; business or rental income is not allowed for this program. United Way has volunteers who speak a number of languages. Call the 2-1-1 helpline for more information or to find the site in Puget Sound nearest you.
United Way free tax preparation sites open Jan. 21, with location available in Everett, Lynnwood and Monroe. Trained and certified volunteers will be on hand to complete basic income tax returns through April 15. Electronic filing means any refunds an individual or family is owed come back much more quickly, usually within 10 business days. No appointment is necessary.
Free tax preparation services will be available at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood; North Middle School, 2514 Rainier Ave., Everett; South Everett Foursquare, 14 E Casino Road, Ste. D, Everett; and Frank Wagner Elementary School, 115 Dickinson Road, Monroe.
Certified volunteers prepared 1,274 tax returns last year at United Way tax preparation sites for a total of $2.1 million in refunds. With the addition of an a fourth full-time site this year, United Way is hoping to increase the number of families served.
The primary purpose of the sites is to serve low- to moderate-income families claim tax credits they may not even know they qualify for. One such credit-the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) -can be worth up to $5,657 cash back for eligible families with children. The EITC has been credited with lifting more children out of poverty than any other federal program. Even individuals and families who don't earn enough to be required to file a claim may receive money back, but only if they file.
It is estimated that as much as $10 million in EITC goes unclaimed each year in Snohomish County alone. Last year, more than 92 percent of families who received the credit spent it on items such as food, housing, utilities and health care. That promises a huge potential to increase families' ability to afford the basic needs for themselves and positively impacts the local economy by of bringing federal dollars into the community.
Tax clients need to bring a valid picture ID, W-2 forms and 1099s showing all income, Social Security cards or Individual Tax Payer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all dependents, and bank account information for a direct deposit of tax refund.
Only basic individual taxes are prepared; business or rental income is not allowed for this program. United Way has volunteers who speak a number of languages. Call the 2-1-1 helpline for more information or to find the site in Puget Sound nearest you.
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