United Way launches Free Tax
Preparation campaign:
Free tax help for 2008 builds on success
of helping low-income families claim tax credits last year

January 15, 2008

United Way of Snohomish County will expand free tax preparation
and electronic filing services, seeking to help more low-income
individuals and families claim tax refunds and credits.

Certified volunteers prepared 500 tax returns in 2007 at the United
Way pilot tax preparation site for a total of $770,000 in refunds. The nonprofit organization hopes to increase its reach by operating four preparation sites county-wide in 2008.

United Way free tax preparation and electronic filing sites open Jan. 22, 2008 at both Cedar Valley Community School (19200 56th Ave. W, Lynnwood) and North Middle School (2514 Rainier Ave., Everett). Trained and certified volunteers will be on hand Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 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 will also be available on a limited basis at two other sites:

Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center (9620 271st St. NW, Stanwood): Feb. 6-27 on Wednesdays from 1-8 p.m. By appointment only. Please call 360.629.5257.
Sky Valley Family Resource Center (701 1st St., Sultan): March 5-26 on Wednesdays from 1-8 p.m. By appointment only. Please call 425.374.5506.

“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 $4,700 cash back for eligible families with children. The earned income tax program 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 70 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.

Sponsors are Bank of America; Edmonds School District; Everett Public Schools; Moss Adams LLP; Sky Valley Family Resource Center; Snohomish County; Stanwood-Camano Community Resource Center; and the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.

“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 from every employer
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. If an interpreter is needed, call 2-1-1 beforehand for dates and times interpreters are available, or for another site in Puget Sound nearer to you.

January 15, 2008

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