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Orange County United Way Offers Free Tax Filing Services Through OC Free Tax Prep Program For 2025

Orange County United Way Offers Free Tax Filing Services Through OC Free Tax Prep Program for 2025

  • Program aims to increase the number of financially stable families in Orange County
  • 211OC hotline integrated with program to help eligible residents schedule in-person appointments
  • Self filing online is also available

Irvine, CA (January 27, 2025) – Orange County United Way’s United for Financial Security℠ Initiative is now offering free tax preparation and electronic filing to low and moderate income individuals and families through the OC Free Tax Prep program. New this year, Orange County residents will call the 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC) hotline to access this key service and book in-person appointments.

“OC Free Tax Prep empowers members of our community to take control of their finances and their futures,” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO of Orange County United Way. “Transitioning OC Free Tax Prep to our 211OC hotline enables us to pair tax prep assistance with other vital community resources. This service enhancement provides easier access to the OC Free Tax Prep program and ensures holistic support for individuals and families across Orange County.”

In 2024, with the support of 473 volunteers from partner organizations, 17,509 hours were committed to providing tax preparation services and outreach to low to moderate income individuals, families, seniors, and those with limited English proficiency. This resulted in the preparation of 13,629 tax returns, and a $21.2 million local impact, with $3.4 million saved in tax preparation fees.

Households that earned less than $67,000 in 2024, seniors over the age of 50, those with limited English proficiency, veterans, and those with disabilities are eligible for free tax filing services. The program provides two convenient options for filing – in-person with an appointment which can be scheduled online or by calling 2-1-1, where an IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparer files for you, or do it yourself online at MyFreeTaxes.com. 211OC is a key Orange County United Way service that connects residents with thousands of local health and human service resources, including OC Free Tax Prep.

The program offers enhanced online booking capabilities this year, with more prep sites now offering online appointment scheduling directly through OCFreeTaxPrep.com. There are 35 VITA sites in Orange County at locations including community resource centers, churches, and schools. Multilingual preparers are available in most locations.

New partner organizations this year include Goodwill of Orange County, Foster Greatness, and South Orange County Family Resource Center. The OC Free Tax Prep program also received additional funding through the IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program, which has allowed for an expansion of services tailored to older adults.

“We’ve strengthened partnerships with local organizations, secured key funding and optimized the OC Free Tax Prep experience this year, all in an effort to help more families in Orange County achieve greater financial security and keep their hard earned money,” said Andrew Fahmy, Executive Director of Orange County United Way’s United for Financial Security Initiative. “We look forward to continuing to help build a stronger community through critical programs like OC Free Tax Prep.”

Qualifying residents may dial 2-1-1 to book their tax prep appointment, or complete tax filing for free online at MyFreeTaxes.com.

For more information about OC Free Tax Prep, visit OCFreeTaxPrep.com. A complete list of VITA locations can be found at OCFreeTaxPrep.com/locations.

The deadline to file taxes is April 15, 2025.

ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY

Orange County United Way is committed to breaking barriers and improving lives for everyone who lives here. Through our key initiatives—United for Student Success℠, United for Financial Security℠, and United to End Homelessness℠—we are working to ensure local students succeed, families gain financial security, and our unhoused neighbors find a place to call home. We also offer vital support via 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), a key service that connects thousands of our most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources. We are committed to caring for one another. That’s #TheOCWay.

Orange County United Way is a standalone, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Media Contact: Annie Noebel, [email protected], (949) 449-2527

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