Residents can file for free in-person or online

With Tax Deadline Looming, United Way Offers Two Free Filing Options

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With the end of tax season quickly approaching, area residents can take advantage of two free tax filing options thanks to United Way and its partners. This year’s filing deadline is April 18.

A free, national online tax preparation program, MyFreeTaxes.com is a safe and easy way for anyone earning $64,000 or less to file state and federal taxes. For filers earning more than $64,000, some fees may apply.

United Way of Northern New Jersey is encouraging residents throughout its five-county footprint to utilize this service if they are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) — working hard but struggling to afford the basics. A total of 26 percent of households in Morris, Somerset, Suburban Essex, Sussex and Warren counties qualify as ALICE or in poverty and could benefit from using MyFreeTaxes.com.

“MyFreeTaxes.com is the only free online tax-filing tool offered by a nonprofit that also has free customer support helplines in English and Spanish with IRS-certified specialists,” said United Way Manager Monica Conover. “Taxpayers can use this service and make sure they aren’t leaving money on the table so that they get back the maximum return to help pay basic bills and set aside some savings.”

MyFreeTaxes.com is sponsored by United Way Worldwide and uses tax filing software provided by H&R Block. Since launching in 2009, the free online service has helped more than 750,000 taxpayers nationwide get back $1.1 billion in refunds.

Along with MyFreeTaxes.com, area residents living paycheck to paycheck also have the option of free in-person tax preparation. United Way, in conjunction with NORWESCAP RSVP, Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church and the IRS, offers a free tax preparation program at more than 20 sites throughout its region. Residents meet one-on-one with IRS-certified volunteers who prepare and file both state and federal returns for free.

“They do a good job, they’re friendly, and it doesn’t cost me anything,” said Michael Pariso, a Somerset County resident who tried United Way’s free tax preparation program three years ago and has been going back ever since.

A teacher’s assistant who referees six high school sports to supplement his income, Pariso is among the 824,000 households throughout the state that are struggling to make ends meet despite working hard.

Last year United Way and its partners made it possible for nearly 6,000 households to file their taxes for free, refunding more than $5.7 million and saving residents nearly $1.2 million in tax preparation costs. These free services are available only to low- and moderate-income families and individuals. These services are not available to business owners or landlords.

United Way in-person tax preparation sites are open in Morris, Somerset, Suburban Essex, Sussex and Warren counties. To make an appointment at a free tax site or to find out more information about MyFreeTaxes.com, visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org/FreeTaxPrep.