Earn It. Keep It. Save It.

Every tax season, Orange County misses out on approximately $60 million in Federal tax refunds that go unclaimed because 1 in 5 eligible families do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Orange County United Way (OCUW) is leading the effort to ensure eligible tax filers have access to free IRS approved and United Way sponsored Free Tax Filing Services, designed to access all Federal and State tax credits available through eligibility.  

Last year alone, OCUW supported the free tax filings of 7,000 low to moderate income tax payers and as a result, returned $3.5 million in Earned Income Tax credits back to Orange County tax payers and their communities. You can help us double these figures for 2013!

VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
OCUW’s Free Tax Filing Services are provided through the IRS approved Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. United Way funds the engagement, training and placement of the VITA volunteers each tax season at over 30 partner sites across the county, including nonprofit centers, schools and churches.  Our VITA volunteers enjoy connecting hard-working tax-paying families to eligible federal and state tax credits and refunds.  If you are interested in becoming a United Way VITA volunteer, please contact us now!  Volunteers are required to complete a certification and protocol training led by Orange County United Way. Trainings are scheduled to begin in November and will conclude by the end of January. Volunteers can serve the VITA program throughout the tax season or during preferred times and locations. 

For more information, contact Hoda Hessaramiri, Community Investments Program Manager at hodah@unitedwayoc.org or 949.263.6167.

Already a volunteer? Sign up now for trainings and tax events at vita.volunteerhub.com

TOOLS FOR OUR PARTNER TAX SITES
If your site is providing free tax filing services for the Earn it! Keep it! Save it! Campaign, please check the Toolkit For Partners often to find out important updates and information about the campaign.

Click here to log into your Toolkit For Partners account.

FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE!
Tax filers that earned $57,000 or less during the 2012 tax season are eligible to receive OCUW’s free tax filing services. Those that made less than $50,000 may also be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and could receive up to a $5,800 return, based on eligibility. These refunds help to stabilize low and moderate income families and help to stimulate local economies. Services are offered in multiple languages by trained and friendly tax preparers.

FIND A FREE TAX SITE NEAR YOU