FIND HELP

GET FREE TAX PREP HELP

Need help with your taxes? United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s Free Tax Prep initiative can save you time, money and stress, and help you get the full refund you deserve. Visit one of our tax sites to have an experienced Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) tax preparer prepare and file your taxes for free.

WHY DOES FREE TAX PREP HELP FILE MY TAXES?

On average, American families spend more than $275 per year on tax preparation and filing fees. Why pay for tax prep when we’ll help you prepare and file your taxes for free?

With United Way’s Free Tax Prep, what you save in fees could mean the difference between paying down a credit card, starting (or adding to) an emergency fund, catching up on medical bills or repairing a car.

MY FREE TAXES BY UNITED WAY

Want to prepare your own return? MyFreeTaxes.com is a free self-filing tool available through United Way Worldwide.

Complete your tax return on your own at your own pace. MyFreeTaxes uses TaxSlayer software, a tax service with over 50 years of experience in the industry.
The software guides you through the return and additional telephone help is available to answer common questions.

FILING ON YOUR OWN? DO IT FOR FREE!

MyFreeTaxes.com is a quick and convenient filing option if you’re filing from home on your own. It’s compatible with all mobile devices, and customer support is available to answer your questions.

OUR SERVICES

Save hundreds of dollars by connecting with one of United Way’s Free Tax Prep sites to access the service that meets your needs:

MyFreeTaxes.com is a free self-filing tool available through United Way Worldwide.
- Complete your return on your own at your own pace. MyFreeTaxes uses TaxSlayer software, a tax service with over 50 years of experience in the industry.
- The software guides you through the return and additional help is available to answer common questions.
Traditional Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites provide free federal and state tax preparation by experienced IRS-certified volunteers.
- Sites operate in either in-person or drop-off models.
- Sites are open a variety of days and times, making it easy to find one that fits your schedule.
- All returns are prepared and reviewed by IRS-certified volunteers.
- Book an appointment today.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Low- to moderate-income taxpayers are eligible for our free tax preparation and filing services, including those with disabilities and limited English-language abilities. If you have questions about your eligibility, please call 211 or 513-721-7900, and select the option for “Free Tax Prep.”

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Each tax year you may be required to bring new forms or information. Keep current on required documents by reviewing IRS.gov’s Publication 3676-A checklist.

You can also save time by completing IRS Intake Form 13614-C now and bringing it with you to your appointment.

WHERE CAN I GO?

2025 Tax Season: The 2025 Tax Season begins in late January. Appointments will be available after January 20, 2025.

Visit our Interactive Map for an up-to-date listing of all tax sites this season.

Once in the map, search by ZIP code to find the most convenient location for you. Then, filter locations by service model, appointment types and more. This map can also help you get driving directions and bus route information. (Links to schedule an appointment are available within each description.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is my Tax Refund?

To understand how federal returns are processed, visit the NTA Blog: Lifecycle of a Tax Return – Taxpayer Advocate Service on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can continue to check the status of their refund by utilizing the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool.

For those seeking information about their state return, you can visit the following state agencies:

Ohio Department of Taxation: https://tax.ohio.gov/individual
Kentucky Department of Revenue: https://revenue.ky.gov/
Indiana Department of Revenue: https://www.in.gov/dor/

What if I cannot find a site or file by April 15, 2025?

Any taxpayer may still file after the April 15 deadline. Those who do not owe taxes will not incur a penalty.
Taxpayers who are unsure if they will owe taxes can file a federal extension by obtaining IRS Form 4868 at: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf.
Your extension to file is not an extension to pay a potential tax bill. Learn more at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return.
Those who do not file by April 15, 2025, but have filed for an extension, will have until October 15, 2025, to e-file their federal return.

Do I qualify for Free Tax Prep?

You can usually get help if you identify as low to moderate income and live in the Greater Cincinnati area.

For a list of forms that are not within our preparation scope, visit IRS.gov’s Publication 3676-A . This will also help you determine what forms can be prepared and which documents are needed to ensure your taxes can be completed on your first visit.

What do I need to file my taxes?

For a full list of documents required to file taxes visit the Checklist for Free Tax Return Preparation | Internal Revenue Service (IRS.gov).

How do I find a Free Tax Prep service near me?

Visit our Interactive Map or for an up-to-date listing of all tax sites this season.
Visit our appointment scheduling page to see a list of sites by area.
Call 211 or 513-721-7900, and select the option for “Free Tax Prep.”

HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

For more information about Free Tax Prep or if you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or call us at 211 or 513-721-7900, and choose option “0” for “all other services.”

WANT TO HELP OR BECOME A PARTNER?

To become a Free Tax Prep partner organization or volunteer, visit uwgc.org/tax-volunteer.