Every year, United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Coalition mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to prepare thousands of tax returns for free, enabling households earning less than $70,000 a year to claim their full refunds and keep more money in their pockets. Highly-trained volunteer preparers maximize refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits, which can total 50% of a household’s yearly income. Since 2009, the Free Tax Prep Coalition has helped over 138,000 taxpayers file their returns for free, saving $31.7 million in tax prep fees and generating $226 million in refunds.
Free Tax Prep
Volunteer with us
Volunteer tax preparers and greeters are compassionate, knowledgeable individuals dedicated to expanding financial literacy and improving their communities by helping working families get ahead.
Sound like you? Join our volunteer contact list for updates on training and registering for a tax site. No professional experience is required and Free Tax Prep Coalition partner Just Harvest provides free IRS training for volunteers. Day, evening and weekend volunteer hours are available. Choose from volunteer sites in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties to make a difference where you live and work. Click here to learn more about volunteering.
Do my taxes for free
United Way’s Free Tax Prep Coalition provides free, in-person tax preparation services to individuals earning up to $50,000 and households of two or more earning up to $70,000. Full eligibility criteria will be available soon. Tax sites are open from mid-January to mid-April each year. Sign up below and we’ll alert you when scheduling is open.
Don’t have a bank account? Get one now for faster returns.
The IRS is moving away from paper checks. Without direct deposit to a bank account, you could face lengthy delays getting your tax refund. Open a bank account before tax season starts so you can receive your refund quickly and securely through direct deposit. We partner with Bank On Allegheny County to provide taxpayers with a list of safe and low-cost accounts. See a list of safe and low-cost accounts here.
Contributing Sponsor for Free Tax Prep Volunteer Appreciation
Have questions?
If you filed your taxes at one of our sites last season and have follow up questions or need additional assistance, contact Emily Schmidlapp, manager of moving to financial stability, at [email protected] or at 412-456-6747.
To volunteer as a tax preparer or greeter, visit the Just Harvest website.