Save money, earn valuable tax credits by using United Way’s MyFreeTaxes

COLUMBIA, SC – United Way of the Midlands encourages individuals earning $62,000 or less to keep more of their hard-earned money and access valuable tax credits this tax season by using MyFreeTaxes.com, a free, online tax preparation service.

MyFreeTaxes allows free federal and state tax preparation and filing in all 50 states and Washington, DC.  The online self-file service is available for anyone earning $62,000 or less.

In partnership with The Cooperative Ministry, United Way also offers free in-person filing assistance through 13 local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. On average, filers can save $200 in tax preparation fees. Visit uway.org/myfreetaxes for a full list of VITA sites.

“We recognize that affordable tax preparation services are out of reach for many in our community,” said Mac Bennett, CEO of United Way. “In addition to the money saved from using this service, taxpayers can reduce the amount of income tax they pay by claiming valuable credits. We know that tax refunds help many in our community achieve greater financial stability, and we want to help them keep more of what they earn.”

Last year, taxpayers used VITA to complete nearly 2 million returns; bringing $2.35 billion back to communities nationwide, including more than $681 million in refunds from tax credits, which Congress made permanent at the end of 2015.

Individuals earning more than $62,000 a year can still use the H&R Block software through MyFreeTaxes.com at a discounted rate.

MyFreeTaxes is provided by United Way, with the support of a grant from the Walmart Foundation. The tax filing software is provided by H&R Block and free tax support is available in English and Spanish by IRS-certified specialists.