Free Tax Preparation

Call (740)-653-0643 to schedule an appointment!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The United Way of Fairfield County will be operating its fourth year

as a VITA site for tax season 2012. With the help of community volunteers and staff, UWFC expects to exceed prior years total returns filed. See table below to see if you are eligible to receive the EITC. UWFC will begin scheduling appointments on January 2nd, but please wait until you have all tax documents before you call. 

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

For the first time, UWFC will offering free tax preparation for any person over the age of 60 through the TCE program. If married filing jointly, only one spouse needs to be over 60 to qualify. Unlike the VITA program, there is no limit on income to be eligible for free tax preparation. United Way staff is excited to reach this new market and expand its free tax preparation services to the community. The United Way's VITA and TCE programs are made possible by the IRS, Walmart, and the United Way.

Self Preparation at United Way

Also in 2012, the United Way will offer the availability of self preparation of taxes. Clients will be able to walk-in and file their taxes for free with assistance from United Way staff if needed. Taxes are filed through myfreetaxes.com and will be completed on an Apple Ipad 2. Anyone who self prepares through our site will be automatically entered to win an Apple Ipod touch! Walk-ins only....First come, first serve! Income limit of $57,000. Made possible by OneEconomy.

Earned Income Tax Credit 

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit. Originally approved by congress in 1975 to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and to provide an incentive to work, the EITC has been credited with lifting more individuals and families out of poverty than any other single program.

The United Way of Fairfield County's VITA site's goal is to increase education, awareness, and claims of the EITC. The IRS estimates that approximately 20% of eligible workers do not claim the EITC.

How Do I Qualify for the EITC?*

Individuals must meet certain income guidelines as indicated below:

*Others restrictions apply. We will not prepare income tax returns with rental income.

Contact Information

For more information regarding EITC or free tax preparation, contact Scott Spangler or Barbara Sanford at the United Way of Fairfield County (740)-653-0643

Highlights from the 2011 Filing Season

The United Way of Fairfield County operated its third year as a

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site for tax season 2011.

VITA offers free tax preparation for low-moderate income individuals

and families in Fairfield County. The site utilizes IRS Certified

Volunteers to prepare and file tax returns. 

• Free tax preparation for 788 clients
• Filed 812 federal returns
• 77.51% Increase in returns filed
• 305 Earned Income Tax Credit claims
• $504,749 in Earned Income Credit claims
• $1,228,864 in federal refunds
• $49,154 in state refunds
• 12 PNC prepaid cards issued

New in 2011, the United Way of Fairfield County offered free PNC prepaid debit cards as an option for individuals with no bank account. This card would allow the clients to receive a faster refund per direct deposit instead of a paper check. It also eliminated the fee of utilizing check cashing services.

Final Reports:

2011

2010

Funding Provided by: