Individuals and families earning $60,000 or less in 2022 may be eligible to have their taxes prepared by an IRS certified volunteer for free. Locations throughout the city are open daily beginning in January and interpreters are available at some of our sites. Families can maximize their refunds and take full advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit to help ensure financial stability with this direct community service offered in partnership with the IRS. Limited-contact service is available with Drop Off and clients are instructed on when to return to review, sign, and file their taxes.
This free service of United Way of the Mid-South has resulted in over $15 million in tax refunds returned to our local economy last year alone. In addition, low- and moderate-income families save millions in filing fees. Refunds to families often return 20% or more of a household’s income, directly addressing the issue of financial mobility.
FREE TAX PREP OVERVIEW
United Way of the Mid-South, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, formed a coalition of local businesses, nonprofit agencies, members of the faith-based community, and the public sector in 2002 to initiate the Free Tax Prep program. This partnership increases awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the nation’s greatest anti-poverty tool. Enacted by Congress in 1976, the EITC lifts thousands of Mid-South families out of poverty each year. The partnership also provides free income tax preparation and electronic filing for low to moderate-income individuals and families. The mission of the Free Tax Preparation Initiative is threefold:
- Provide a safe and free alternative to paid predatory tax preparation services through VITA,
- Promote awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),
- Promote financial literacy and savings.
Free Tax Prep is a proud part of United Way’s Driving the Dream initiative to improve the lives of individuals & families, helping people move out of poverty & see their dreams come true. Through recruiting and training volunteers to help people prepare and file their income taxes, United Way is bringing income back to the Mid-South, improving the lives of individuals, families, and boosting our local economy. When a family struggling to make ends meet uses our free tax preparation help instead of (often) spending hundreds of dollars with tax preparers, it can make a huge difference.
United Way Free Tax Prep also helps people avoid predatory lending practices at less-than-reputable tax centers, and provides access to information about savings, financial literacy, and healthy financial practices. Last year, United Way Free Tax Prep helped bring in over $14 million in refunds and ensured over $4.65 million in Earned Income Tax Credits were claimed by local citizens. The average refund was over $1,500.
Site & Filing Information
The 2023 site locations will be announced soon. Contact 2-1-1 or 1-844-444-4211 for more information.
Site Locations & Hours
Site hours are subject to change. Please contact 2-1-1 or 844-444-4211 for the most accurate information.
View locations and hours HERE.
Please be sure to bring:
- Photo ID
- SS cards (not copies)
- Last year’s return
- All forms W-2 and 1099
- Other tax documents you may have
- Married filing jointly both spouses must be present
Translators’ Schedule for 1/30/23-2/4/2023
| Day | Location | Zip Code | Hours of Translate |
| Feb 2 Thursday |
Hickory Ridge Mall Address: 6075 Winchester Rd Memphis, TN 38115 |
38115 | 1pm-4pm (3) |
| Feb 2 Thursday |
Frayser PL/ESC Head Start Super Site Address: 3060 Baskin Street Memphis, TN 38127 |
38127 | 1 pm- 4pm (3) |
| Feb 3 Friday |
North Library Address: 1192 Vollintine Avenue Memphis, TN 38107 |
38107 | 12 pm-3 pm (3) |
| Feb 4 Saturday |
Hickory Ridge Mall Address:6075 Winchester Rd. Memphis, TN 38115 |
38115 | 12 pm-4 pm (4) |
| Feb 4 Saturday |
Hickory Ridge Mall Address: 6075 Winchester Rd. Memphis, TN 38115 |
38115 | 12:30 pm -4 pm (3.5) |
| Feb 4 Saturday |
Raleigh FTP Address: 3452 Austin Peay Hwy. Memphis, TN 38128 |
38128 | 10 am- 4 pm |
Filing Information
The low-to-moderate income eligibility for the 2022 – 2023 tax season is $60,000.
The eligibility is based on tax year 2022 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits as shown below:
| Filing Status Single | AGI less than | Maximum EITC |
| 3+ Children | $53,057 | $6,935 |
| 2+ Children | $49,399 | $6,164 |
| 1+ Children | $43,492 | $3,733 |
| No Child | $16,480 | $560 |
| Filing Status Married Filing Jointly | AGI less than | Maximum EITC |
| 3+ Children | $59,187 | $6,935 |
| 2+ Children | $55,529 | $6,164 |
| 1+ Children | $49,622 | $3,733 |
| No Child | $22,610 | $560 |
Clients will need to bring the following items to a Free Tax Prep site:
1. Photo I.D., if filing joint the spouse’s Photo I.D. is also required
2. Social Security cards and birth dates, if filing joint or claiming dependents, the spouse and
dependents Social Security cards must be provided as well
3. All W-2’s, 1099’s, and information on other income
4. Information for all deductions/credits
5. Total paid to daycare and their tax I.D. number
6. Health Insurance 1095 form
7. Account information for direct deposit
8. If married filing joint, both spouses must be present
OPTIONAL: You can download or print the intake packet forms HERE, fill them out at home, and bring it with you to the tax site to cut your visit there. Spanish version available HERE.
We wish to recognize our supporters
Please thank these organizations for helping make United Way Free Tax Prep possible!
Alternative filing methods that do NOT require going to a Free Tax Prep site.
MyFreeTaxes is a self-filing option.
Click the MyFreeTaxes icon to utilize the self-filing method.
GetYourRefund is a virtual volunteer tax preparation option.
An IRS certified volunteer can prepare your tax return virtually. You will need to click the icon, follow the prompts, fill out the intake packet, upload the items mentioned to the system, and respond to any contacts made by the volunteer. This process can be completed via computer, laptop, smartphone, tablets, etc. Please click the icon to utilize this feature.
VOLUNTEER
Help thousands of individuals and families get the most from their tax returns! You can volunteer and make a dramatic difference for people in poverty. Help people in need to drive their dreams of financial freedom and peace of mind with United Way’s Free Tax Prep program. Imagine assisting a family with three children with nearly $6,660 in tax credits to help escape poverty and make their dreams come true (based on 2020 EITC maximum credit amounts, IRS). United Way Free Tax Prep is helping thousands of households across the Mid-South with less than $60,000 of income, and we need your help!
Volunteer Information
All Volunteers must meet the IRS certification requirements. Volunteers can attend a 12 hr. training class in Tax Law and Tax Slayer Software or self-study by using the IRS’ Link and Learn Taxes e-learning program.
- The free training and materials will be provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and United Way of the Mid-South.
- Volunteers are protected under the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.
- Volunteers must possess a friendly attitude and adhere to the privacy and confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.
- Ensure they receive the necessary training to feel confident in their roles.
- Provide feedback and support throughout tax season.
The Free Tax Prep program offers several roles one can volunteer as.
- Greeters welcome customers, assist with the sign-ins and surveys, and initiate clients through the tax process.
◊ 1 IRS Certification Required: Standards of Conduct.
- Screeners help taxpayers complete our short intake/interview process and assist people with the paperwork they need to meet with a tax preparer.
◊ 3 IRS Certification Required: Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, and Basic Tax Law
- Tax Preparers connect people with tax credits and refunds by preparing federal and state tax returns.
◊ 3 IRS Certification Required: Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, and Advanced Tax Law
◊ 3 Optional IRS Certifications: Military, International, and Puerto Rico
- Quality Reviewers ensure that the taxpayer’s tax return is accurate based on the Intake/Interview Sheet, and the supporting documents provided by the taxpayer and the interview with the taxpayer.
◊ 3 IRS Certification Required: Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, and Advanced Tax Law
◊ 3 Optional IRS Certifications: Military, International, and Puerto Rico
- Site Coordinator/Assistant Site Coordinator open and manage a Free Tax Prep site, oversee volunteer personnel, capture results, review returns for accuracy, and work alongside United Way team members and IRS staff.
◊ 4 IRS Certification Required: Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review , Advanced Tax Law, and Site Coordinator
◊ 3 Optional IRS Certifications: Military, International, and Puerto Rico
JOIN US! Apply today and begin one of the most rewarding experiences of your life by clicking the Volunteer Here button below and filling out the Free Tax Prep Volunteer Application.
We look forward to working with you!
There are no upcoming events at this time
