Jan. 16, 2023
Public encouraged to take advantage of in-person, online free filing services
NEW ORLEANS – United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) – in partnership with Entergy Corporation, Louisiana 211, the Asset Building Coalition and Capital One – is promoting its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offering free person-to-person and virtual tax preparation services to low- to moderate-income individuals, including persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers.
IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals who generally make $59,187 or less. The volunteers are expertly-trained tax preparers with knowledge of current tax laws, credits and deductions that will allow clients to get the largest refunds possible without visiting expensive, less-accurate paid preparers.
VITA sites assist households file their taxes, access critical tax credits and receive 100% of eligible refunds to purchase groceries, pay bills and build emergency savings. Last year, the VITA program returned over $10.9 million to residents of Southeast Louisiana.
Free tax preparation assistance will be provided through April 18 at over three dozen VITA sites – both in-person and virtual – located across Southeast Louisiana. Residents can view the sites at UnitedWaySELA.org/VITA or call 211 for assistance.
VITA sites are open with flexible hours that include appointments, drop-offs and walk-ins. Appointments are encouraged and required at some locations.
The public can also take advantage of MyFreeTaxes.com, which provides free online federal and state tax preparation with no income limits for individuals or families. MyFreeTaxes is the only free, national, online tax filing product offered by a nonprofit. United Way has made it available to over 100 million U.S. taxpayers as part of our fight for the financial stability of every person in every community.
Learn more at UnitedWaySELA.org/VITA or watch the latest Mic’d Up Live conversation with First Horizon Bank on VITA services at UWSELA’s Prosperity Centers.
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About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For nearly 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana's Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.
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