- Filing options include contactless drop-off via appointment, virtual with assistance, and self-filing online
- Annual OC Free Tax Prep Program aims to increase the number of financially stable families in OC and break the cycle of poverty
Irvine, CA (February 2, 2021) – Orange County United Way is once more offering free tax preparation and electronic filing to low- and moderate-income individuals and families through its popular OC Free Tax Prep program, a United for Financial Security Initiative.
OC Free Tax Prep was established in 2005 to help qualifying individuals keep more of their hard-earned money and increase the number of financially stable households in Orange County and break the cycle of poverty. To date, the program has served more than 121,000 taxpayers, which amounts to more than $23 million saved in tax preparation fees.
“Every year, low-income residents miss out on millions of dollars in federal and California tax refunds and credits that they are entitled to and deserve. Our OC Free Tax Prep program helps these hard-working people keep more of their earnings,” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO, Orange County United Way. “Many of these families already face financial struggles and the pandemic has caused even greater strain. These tax refunds and credits will provide a much-needed boost to help pay for rent, food or medical expenses.”
For households earning less than $30,000 in 2020, the expanded California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) may qualify them for hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars in their refund. In addition to CalEITC, they may also be eligible for the Federal EITC if they earn less than $57,000, increasing their refund even more.
New this year, the CalEITC has been expanded to tax filers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If anyone who qualifies for CalEITC has children younger than 6 years of age they may also be eligible for the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC). Orange County United Way is working with First 5 Orange County to reach these young families and help put money back into their pockets.
Each year, millions of low-income Californians miss out on cash back in their pockets because they don’t know they qualify for EITC and don’t claim the credit.
Households that earned less than $60,000 in 2020, but don’t qualify for EITC, are still eligible for free tax filing services.
The program offers three ways of filing – virtually by uploading your tax documents to a secure online portal with your mobile device, online at MyFreeTaxes.com, or at contactless drop-off locations with IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers on site. There are 18 contactless VITA sites in Orange County, with locations at community resource centers, churches, and schools. Multilingual preparers are available upon request.
In partnership with the City of Irvine, the County of Orange and the office of Supervisor Don Wagner, free tax prep will be available in the parking lot of Cypress Community Park through a new mobile unit (E- Bus) complete with Wi-Fi and computer stations. Tax prep takes place on Wednesday’s starting February 10 through April 7. Appointments are required.
In 2020, Orange County United Way and its coalition partners filed 14,200 tax returns, securing $17.6 million in federal and state refunds for individuals and families.
A full list of VITA contactless drop-off locations can be found at https://www.ocfreetaxprep.com/locations.
To make an appointment for the E-Bus or get answers to questions, call: (888) 434-8248. Masks are required for all contactless drop-off locations.
The deadline to file is April 15, 2021.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Today’s Orange County United Way is doing more for the Education, Health, Housing and Financial Stability of every person in Orange County. More than a fundraiser, we’re hands-on, delivering more than 50 Community Impact programs countywide. We focus on long-term solutions to the most critical interconnected challenges facing local children and families. FACE 2024 our 10-year community-wide action plan aims to cut the high school dropout rate in half, increase healthy youth by one-third, cut the percentage of homeless or unstably housed children and families in half, and reduce financial instability by 25%. United Way is doing more to make long-term measurable difference in the lives of children and families right here in Orange County. To learn more or do more with us, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
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Media Contact: Annie Noebel, anoebel@cornerstonecomms.com, (949) 525-7024
