
Individuals and families earning $67,000 or less in 2024 may be eligible to have their taxes prepared by an IRS certified volunteer for FREE. Locations throughout the Mid-South are open daily beginning in January and interpreters are available at select sites. Families can maximize their refunds and take full advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit with this safe, confidential, and FREE service offered in partnership with the IRS.
Free Tax Prep is a service of United Way of the Mid-South and resulted in over $11 million in tax refunds to local families in 2023. In addition, low- and moderate-income people saved an estimated $2.1 million in filing fees. Refunds often return 20% or more of a household’s income, directly impacting individuals’ financial mobility.
FREE TAX PREP OVERVIEW
United Way of the Mid-South, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, has offered Free Tax Prep to Mid-South families for over 20 years, helping people move toward financial stability by providing safe, secure, and confidential tax preparation and filing services.
This partnership increases awareness and use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the nation’s greatest anti-poverty tool. Free Tax Prep provides 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 part of United Way’s Driving the Dream™ initiative to improve the lives of individuals and families, helping people move from where they are, to where they dream to be.
United Way Free Tax Prep helps people avoid predatory tax refund advance loans, and provides access to information about savings, financial literacy, and healthy financial practices. Last year, United Way Free Tax Prep helped local households file for over $11 million in refunds and ensured over $3.3 million in Earned Income Tax Credits were claimed by local citizens. The average refund was over $1,100.
Site & Filing Information
Check here for details or call 2-1-1 to find a location near you.
Site Locations & Hours
2025 Site Schedule available here.
Check back here for details or call 2-1-1 to find a location near you.
Clients will need to bring the following items to a Free Tax Prep site:
- Photo I.D., if filing jointly the spouse’s Photo I.D. is also required
- Social Security cards and birth dates, if filing jointly or claiming dependents, the spouse’s and dependents’ Social Security cards must be provided as well
- Account information for direct deposit
- Health Insurance 1095 form
- Total paid to daycare and provider’s tax I.D. number
- Information for all deductions/credits, including charitable contributions
- All W-2’s, 1099’s, and information on other income
- If married filing jointly, both spouses must be present
Filing Information
Free Tax Prep is available to low-to-moderate-income households. Eligibility for the 2024 – 2025 tax season is a total household income of $67,000 or less.
The threshold is based on tax year 2024 EITC AGI limits as shown below:
Filing Status Single | AGI less than | Maximum EITC |
3+ Children | $59,899 | $7,830 |
2+ Children | $55,768 | $6,960 |
1+ Children | $49,084 | $4,213 |
No Child | $18,591 | $632 |
Filing Status Married Filing Jointly | AGI less than | Maximum EITC |
3+ Children | $66,819 | $7,830 |
2+ Children | $62,688 | $6,960 |
1+ Children | $56,004 | $4,213 |
No Child | $25,511 | $632 |
Investment income limit: $11,000
Clients will need to bring the following items to a Free Tax Prep site:
- Photo I.D., if filing jointly the spouse’s Photo I.D. is also required
- Social Security cards and birth dates, if filing jointly or claiming dependents, the spouse’s and dependents’ Social Security cards must be provided as well
- All W-2’s, 1099’s, and information on other income
- Information for all deductions/credits, including charitable contributions
- Total paid to daycare and provider’s tax I.D. number
- Health Insurance 1095 form
- Account information for direct deposit
- If married filing jointly, both spouses must be present
OPTIONAL: You can download or print the intake packet forms HERE, fill out the forms at home, and bring them with you to the tax site to limit your wait time. Versión en español disponible aquî.
What our clients are saying about Free Tax Prep:
“I can always come here and know that I will be taken care of. I never have to worry about fraud or being taken advantage of. I love the great customer service and that it is free!” – Deidra P., Memphis, TN
“This is my first year filing as self-employed and I always file at this location. Free Tax Prep has helped me so much. The volunteers answer so many of my questions. They make me feel like all my documents are safe.” – Adrienne M., Collierville, TN
“I’m a widower and can’t afford to pay for tax prep. I have had a good experience with United Way Free Tax Prep. It has lessened my anxiety around tax time.” – Randy J., Millington, TN
United Way of the Mid-South’s Driving The Dream™ is available to help connect you with other services that you may need.
United Way of the Mid-South’s Free Tax Prep delivers Financial Stability to Mid-South households. We are back to help individuals and families maximize their refunds. You can volunteer or set up a Free Tax Prep site at your organization.
Click on the image to view 2024 results.
Alternative filing methods that do NOT require going to a Free Tax Prep site.

My Free Taxes
FREE self-filing option.
Claim thousands of dollars through tax credits you’re owed! We work with you to maximize your refund! File your taxes yourself or, if you earned $67,000 or less, you can opt to have your return prepared for you online. MyFreeTaxes helps you file your Federal and State taxes online for FREE. Click the MyFreeTaxes icon for more information or to start your return.
IRS | DirectFile
File online with IRS-DIRECT FILE. No income limit but there are some restrictions on what forms you can file. Find out if Direct File is the right option for your taxes. Visit https://directfile.irs.gov/ or click the icon to take advantage of this free government secured service.
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. United Way Free Tax Prep is helping thousands of households across the Mid-South with less than $67,000 of income, and we need your help!
Volunteer Information
All Volunteers must meet the IRS certification requirements. Volunteers attend a 12 hour 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.
- United Way ensures that volunteers receive the necessary training to feel confident in their roles.
- United Way staff provides feedback and support throughout tax season.
The Free Tax Prep program offers several volunteer roles. How would you like to help?
- 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.
◊ 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! Click the Volunteer Here button below to get started.
We look forward to working with you!
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