25 Sites in Pierce County Offering Free Tax Preparation Services
Who: South Sound 2-1-1, Associated Ministries, Sound Outreach, Goodwill, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
What: Free Tax Preparation Services
Where: 25 Locations. A complete list can be found in the attached document and in the link provided.
When: From now until to April 15, 2019
Why: Pierce County non-profit organizations are committed to moving families to financial stability, in part by ensuring they get to keep more of the money they have worked so hard for and to make the most of their tax return. Individuals and families have two free options for tax preparation.
MYFREETAXES.COM One of the ways we are helping families do this is by connecting them to free tax preparation and tax credits that are available to eligible families. For households making less than $66,000 a year, they can access MyFreeTaxes.com to file their taxes for free. The site provides easy, fast, secure federal and state tax filing online through software partner, H&R Block.
LOCAL TAX ASSISTANCE South Sound 2-1-1. Associated Ministries, Sound Outreach, Goodwill, AARP/Tax Aide are partnering with Pierce County Asset Building Coalition to provide tax help for low-income families. For households making less than $55,000, they can get free tax assistance and file for free at one of 25 sites throughout Pierce County from late January through April. Volunteers will prepare client taxes free of charge, determine if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and find other credits to boost their bottom line. To find a site near you, dial 2-1-1.
About the Partners
United Way of Pierce County has a bold goal to lift 15,000 households out of poverty and into financial stability by 2028. We will achieve this by mobilizing local businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies and individuals, to make a long-term measurable difference in our community. Operated by United Way of Pierce County, South Sound 2-1-1 connects nearly 90,000 people annually to critical services and resources in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis Counties. Together, we are creating a stronger community. To learn more or to join our fight against poverty in Pierce County, visit www.uwpc.org. To learn more contact Penni Belcher, 2-1-1 Program Manager,
Associated Ministries has had an historic leadership position working at a grassroots level in Pierce County, mobilizing people of faith and good will to unite in service to vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, hunger and poverty, as well as the elderly and disabled. Our vision is for deeply engaged interfaith and other partners to join together to bring about the transformation of our community. Our programs endeavor to effectively walk alongside those who come to us for services as they emerge out of crisis, find paths out of poverty into personal stability, and aspire to build a foundation of skills, social connections and financial assets. To learn more contact: Wendy Morris, Community Engagement Coordinator, Associated Ministries, 253.426.1501 WendyM@associatedministries.org
Sound Outreach Sound Outreach provides guidance, direction, and support to all those in need, with a focus on economically vulnerable populations in Pierce County. Staff take a comprehensive, affirmative approach, ensuring that clients feel respected, looking beyond their initial needs that bring them in for help. Our model ensures that each individual or family explores their financial, health, basic needs, and housing assets to gain long-term stability and independence. For more information contact 253-593-2111. Learn more at www.soundoutreach.org/vita
Goodwill Olympics & Rainier Region Goodwill uses thrift store revenue, community support, and their training campuses to provide career skills, other education and job placement in a variety of career fields. As a unique nonprofit business serving 15 counties, thrift shop revenue and public donations fuel programs that help people with limited income, disabilities and disadvantages overcome barriers to employment. For more information contact George White, PR/Communications Manager, at 253.573.6677 or georgew@goodwillwa.org
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide WA District 5 offers free tax preparation help to anyone who can’t afford a tax preparation service. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has more than 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers. There’s no fee and no sales pitch for other services and AARP membership is not required. For more information, contact Sylvia Wilson, Pierce County District Coordinator at 206-713-8717