Free Tax Preparation Program (United Way California Capital Region)

Free Tax Preparation Program (United Way California Capital Region) is sponsored by United Way California Capital Region. In partnership with California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), this program offers free tax preparation services to households in the Capital Region earning less than $68,000, helping them maximize their refunds and save on preparation fees.

Free Tax Preparation - United Way California Capital Region Helping thousands of families every year save more than $1 million in tax fees & receive close to $10 million in refunds Para Español: haga clic aquí In partnership with California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) , our Free Tax Preparation program helps families like yours can get cash back from state and federal credits.

Every year, we help thousands of families receive close to $10 million in refunds. If your annual income is less than $68,000, we can help you maximize your refund and save you an average of $200 in tax preparation fees – all through a safe and secure process. See how free, IRS-certified tax help is putting millions back into the pockets of local families.

Households throughout the Capital Region earning less than $68,000 can receive free tax help from United Way’s Free Tax Prep program. If you earn more than $68,000 and therefore do not qualify for this program, you may still be able to file your taxes for free through MyFreeTaxes. org .

Learn how easy it is to get your taxes done through this program. Click on the relevant button below to select which filing option you prefer. For your convenience, we also offer a self-preparation option to securely and safely file your taxes online for free.

If you would like more information, please refer to our FAQ section below. If you live in the following counties click below: Sacramento County, Yolo County, Placer County, or El Dorado County. I want to file my taxes online There are No In-Person Appointments Available for this Tax Season If you live in the following counties click below: Colusa County, Amador County, Sutter County, or Yuba County.

I want to file my taxes online No In-Person Appointments Available for this Tax Season Fill out this form to get the process started and a staff member will reach out! Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) What do I need to get started?

Your driver’s license or other photo identification, your social security card, a W-2, 1099 or earned income statements, last year’s tax filing documents, dependents’ social security card, childcare records, medical expenses, and educational expenses. Learn more here . Will it cost me anything to get my taxes done?

No, our services are completely free for individuals who qualify. Do you offer Free Tax Preparation services in my area? Our Free Tax Preparation services are available to residents of Sacramento, Yolo, Amador, El Dorado, and Placer counties, as well as Yuba-Sutter and Colusa counties.

Why should I use your free tax service? We can help you save money and get money back on your taxes. * On average, our clients save $200 in preparer fees.

Plus, our team will help you maximize your return, often earning clients thousands of dollars in credits through CalEITC and federal Earned Income Tax Credits. Last year, we helped 9,000 families in our region file for free and claim more than $11 million in credits. *Amount varies based on filing status and qualifying children.

If I choose to file with assistance, what is the process? The first step is to complete the online questionnaire and upload your documents, which can take as little as 30 minutes. A United Way volunteer will then schedule a call with you within two to three days to review your information and prepare your tax return.

A second volunteer will set up another call with you to review your tax packet and confirm all information has been received and is correct. Finally, you will receive your final packet and sign through your online portal. Are you offering any in-person assistance at this time?

We offer both in-person and virtual filing assistance. Can you help me if I don’t speak English? You will need to choose the “I need assistance” option above.

At that point, you can navigate the website in English or Spanish. When a volunteer calls you after receiving your documents, you can request assistance in English, Spanish or Russian. Is tax help available year-round?

We recommend that you file your return on-time to avoid any penalties and late fees. Will my information be kept confidential? Yes.

We protect your personal information and all tax returns are confidential. We do not share your data with any third parties. How do you certify your volunteers?

All of our volunteers are IRS-certified and must complete mandatory training. What if I don’t qualify for filing assistance? Prepare your tax returns at Myfreetaxes.

com , a free resource for preparing most basic tax returns for both federal and state filing. How much money could I receive back on my tax return? You may qualify for up to $6,500 in CalEITC and federal Earned Income Tax Credits if your household earned less than $30,000.

Plus, families with children under the age of 6 may also qualify for an additional $1,000 with the new Young Child Tax Credit. Learn more. Questions on the Advanced Child Tax Credit (ACTC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), or Credit for Other Dependents (ODC)?

You can find out what you need to know about the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) the refundable portion, and the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC) at the IRS Website. Advance payments were sent automatically to eligible people. View the amounts received HERE .

I need older tax returns prepared. Can you help me? Through our virtual filing program, we can assist clients needing to file 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax returns.

It’s simple! Fill out this form to get the process started and a staff member will reach out! DIY Tax Events (In-Person) Workshops are available to provide free tax help in person.

To register for our in-person event, participants will need to call 2-1-1 or (916) 498-1000 to register. 211 is a vital service that connects communities to local organizations and resources able to address problems such as housing, utilities, mental health, transportation, and much more. For more information go to 211.

org or call 2-1-1 on any local area coded phone. SMUD Financial Assistance We’re here to help customers with energy bill discounts, financial assistance programs, flexible payment plans and other community resources. For income-eligible customers, we offer the Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR) and MED Rate.

These programs provides eligible customers with a monthly discount based on household size and income at the time of application and are eligible for other money-saving discounts. Learn more about qualifying for EAPR at smud. org/lowincome .

For additional information or questions, call us at 1-888-742-(SMUD) 7683 Monday – Friday, 7 AM – 7 PM Estamos aquí para ayudar en Español Programa de Asistencia de EnergÍa en Español Descuento para equipos medicos en Español Bill Payment Arrangements Sacramento Financial Empowerment Center Sacramento’s Financial Empowerment Center offers free, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to address your unique circumstances.

Save money for emergencies and opportunities (home purchase, business development, education, retirement) Find and use safe, affordable and convenient financial services and products Identify resources to help you save money — free tax preparation, housing support, home energy assistance Caring support from trained professionals to achieve your financial goals. Click here to watch a short video .

No income restrictions, FREE to all Sacramento County residents. Services available in English and Spanish, with interpretation available in other languages upon request. To request an FEC navigation or coaching appointment, email FEC@cityofsacramento.

org or call 916-808-4927. All appointments will be remote via phone or video at this time.