United Way Free Tax Preparation Centers open Jan. 22
January 13, 2009
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. 22, 2009 at Cedar Valley Community School (19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood), North Middle School (2514 Rainier Ave., Everett) and South Everett Foursquare (206 E Casino Road, Everett). 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:
- Cedar Valley Community School (19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood):
Jan 22-April 14 – Tuesdays and Thursdays (5pm-8pm) & Saturdays (10am-3pm) - North Middle School (2514 Rainier Ave., Everett)
Jan 22-April 14 – Tuesdays and Thursdays (5pm-8pm) & Saturdays (10am-3pm) - South Everett Foursquare (206 E Casino Road, Everett)
Jan 22-April 15 – Tuesdays and Thursdays (3pm-7:30pm) & Wednesdays and Fridays (10:30am-3pm). Benefits and credit counselor available one site.
Certified volunteers prepared 1,008 tax returns last year at United Way tax preparation sites for a total of $1.2 million in refunds. With the addition of an additional full-time site this year, United Way is hoping to increase the number of low- to moderate-income families served.
“Although no one will be turned away because of income level, the primary purpose is to help low- and moderate-income working families claim federal tax credits they may not even know they qualify for,” said Deborah Squires, United Way spokesperson.
One such credit—the Earned Income Tax Credit—can be worth up to $4,824 cash back for eligible families with children. The Earned Income Tax credit 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 have to file a claim may receive money back, but only if they file.
It is estimated that as much as $10 million in Earned Income Tax credits goes unclaimed each year in Snohomish County alone. Last year, over 87 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.
“Saving the fees and refund anticipation loan charges alone that a family may pay elsewhere can make a huge difference in putting money back into the pocket of those who need it most,” Squires said.
Tax clients need to bring:
- A valid picture ID
- W-2 forms and 1099s showing all income
- Social Security cards(s) OR Individual Tax Payer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse, children and other dependents
- Bank account information for a direct deposit or tax return—a copy of a valid check (a bank account is not needed to get a refund)
Only basic individual taxes are prepared: no businesses and no rental income. United Way has volunteers who speak a number of languages. Call the 2-1-1 helpline for more information or to find another site in Puget Sound nearer to you.
Sponsors are The Boeing Company; D2D Fund, Inc.; The Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Edmonds School District; Everett Public Schools; Moss Adams LLP; South Everett Foursquare and the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED).