Tax season is rarely easy considering the paperwork, the deadlines, and the uncertainty of how much you’ll owe. For many working families in Greater Atlanta, tax season can bring even more challenges, among them heavy tax preparation costs that can devastate a family just barely making ends meet. This is where free tax services come in— but how can you qualify? Keep reading to learn more about how you can leverage free tax services through United Way of Greater Atlanta.
For many Atlantans, tax season brings no windfall
While many people anticipate tax season expecting federal refunds, others approach the season full of anxiety. This is especially true for lower-income, working families who can face unique challenges when it comes to filing taxes. Those can include:
Big Tax Service Fees: Traditional tax services—whether a storefront provider or online software—often charge significant fees. For some families, a $300 filing fee could become the barrier between new shoes for kids or paying the heating bill.
Fluctuating Income: Despite what many believe, complicated tax returns aren’t just a “high earner” problem. Families who rely on multiple income streams, like gig workers or those balancing multiple part-time jobs, can face more complex tax paperwork than a salaried worker.
Tax Knowledge Gaps: Many taxpayers aren’t familiar with all the credits for which they qualify. This can leave vulnerable families spending money—or leaving money on the table—when they need it most.
These and other challenges can leave some of the most vulnerable Greater Atlanta families facing a no-win choice: Spend money you don’t have to spare on taxes, or avoid filing and spend on tax preparation or penalty fees.
Free tax services cut tax season stress
Starting this week, you can avoid both the headache and the fees by filing taxes for free at United Way sites across Greater Atlanta. United Way of Greater Atlanta partners with dozens of community organizations to offer free IRS-certified tax services to families through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
For over 50 years, IRS has partnered with organizations like United Way to offer free tax filing through the VITA program. Anyone making up to $69,000 is eligible to have their return prepared for them in-person or online.
Make more than the cutoff? Those making up to $89,000 can file for free online through our partnership with MyFreeTaxes.com.
VITA volunteers are expertly trained to help working families maximize their credits. For example, an estimated 20% of Americans who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit leave it unclaimed, losing out on $864 million per year that could otherwise go back into families’ pockets—and ultimately, our local economy.
If you live in the following 13 counties, you can take advantage of free tax filing at an in-person location or online:
- Butts County
- Cherokee County
- Clayton County
- Cobb County
- Coweta County
- DeKalb County
- Douglas County
- Fayette County
- Fulton County
- Gwinnett County
- Henry County
- Paulding County
- Rockdale County
>> Find a free tax filing site near you
With our free tax services, just last year we helped 12,000 families across Greater Atlanta save $25 million between saved filing fees and tax refunds.
VITA helps working families keep more of their paycheck—but only about 4% of those who qualify for free tax filing nationally actually use this service. Don’t let tax season become a headache. Visit United Way of Greater Atlanta’s website for a list of locations offering for free tax services through VITA.
Interested in giving back? To help more eligible Greater Atlanta families build a financially secure future, you can sign up to volunteer with VITA or donate today.
>> READ MORE: Meet Alice, A tax time hero celebrating 25 years of volunteering with VITA