United Way of King County is ready to help individuals and families who earn less than $64,000 file their taxes. 27 tax sites staffed by more than 900 United Way volunteers opened January 9th and will remain open until April 20th. Filing deadline this year is April 18th.

United Way reminds filers who are claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit that their refunds may be delayed this year. Effective in 2017, the PATH Act requires the IRS to hold the refunds claiming EITC and ACTC until February 15th. This change affects some returns submitted early in the tax filing season. United Way recommends people file their returns as they normally do, but to anticipate a delay if they are filing early and claiming these credits. The IRS expects that refunds impacted by this delay will be deposited into bank accounts no later than the week of February 27th.

Who: Tax filers earning less than $64,000

What: Free Tax Preparation offered by United Way of King County

When: January 9th – April 20th, 2017

Where: All over King County including libraries, Goodwill stores, even college campuses! Half of the tax sites can accommodate Spanish speakers.

Why: Last year United Way prepared 21,750 tax returns, securing $29.1 million in refunds. $9.3 million was from the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Earned Income Tax Credit is considered the most effective anti-poverty tool we have as a nation.