We can all agree that filing and paying taxes are unavoidable, but paying someone to do your taxes is a whole different story. In fact, you can get help filing your taxes for FREE in Philadelphia if you meet certain criteria. We’re sharing the details below.
Doing your taxes shouldn’t be stressful
Tax season is just around the corner, and it can be stressful. But for qualifying taxpayers, getting your taxes done shouldn’t be a hassle. The City of Philadelphia partners with five nonprofit organizations to offer free tax services to residents who meet certain income and other requirements.
Whether you need general tax prep or help filing your return in a language other than English, the following providers can help—and it’s for free:
- Campaign for Working Families
- Philadelphia Chinatown Development Cooperation
- Ceiba
- HACE CDC
- Congreso
You can file online or in person with these providers. Besides being free, their services are safe, easy, and secure. Plus, they’ll help you claim tax credits like the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and other deductions if you qualify.
The CTC and EITC are federal tax credits given to eligible taxpayers. If you qualify for EITC, you can get up to $8,046 and if you’re eligible for CTC, you can get up to $2,000. Even if your income is below the tax filing threshold, you might still be eligible for refunds, and these organizations will make sure you receive the credits you qualify for.
Every year, eligible Philadelphians who don’t apply for these federal tax credits are leaving over $100 million on the table.
Here’s your chance!
Many taxpayers took advantage of these free services last tax season, and will do so again this year. You can too! Visit our website to learn more about each provider, their services, eligibility criteria, and schedule.
They each have a different income limit, which is based on your federal adjusted gross income. Your gross income includes your wages, dividends, capital gains, business income, and retirement distributions. Make sure to visit their websites for additional information.
Access more free file services
Even if you don’t pick any of the providers listed on our website, you still have options. You can file a FREE return at an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site near you.
There are multiple VITA locations offering free filing services in Philadelphia. Use this website to find providers in your area. Just enter your zip code and select “Search”. A list of providers is displayed with their names, addresses, and phone numbers. Most free filers do not require an appointment. Make sure to bring your photo ID and all necessary tax documents.
There’s also MyFreeTaxes, which is another free tax filing service you can use. Check out myfreetaxes.com for more information about their tax help services.
