A global non-profit agency is once again pairing with a leader in the tax preparation industry to provide free online tax filing for low-income families across the country.
United Way is once again partnering with H&R Block to provide free online tax filing services for anyone earning less than $64,000. That includes not only federal tax filing but also state returns if applicable.
The free service is offered online through the website www.MyFreeTaxes.com. The two companies also recently announced they added new enhanced security features designed to better safeguard taxpayer information.
H&R Block and United Way have been providing free tax filing services online for federal and state taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the past eight years. Since that time, the partnership has helped more than 750,000 taxpayers claim every deduction and credit they deserve. These tax breaks that lead to refunds provide valuable opportunities for individuals and families to build their financial stability.
“Our partnership with the United Way gives us an opportunity to fulfill our most important company mission: help taxpayers in the communities where we live and work,” said Heather Watts, vice president and digital products general manager at H&R Block. “As H&R Block is approaching preparing 725 million tax returns, we’re proud to reach even more taxpayers to help them safely prepare and file accurate tax returns that get them the maximum refund they are entitled.”
The free service is one which has the potential to benefit many residents of Elizabethton and Carter County.
“We are grateful to H&R Block for their continued support of MyFreeTaxes,” said United Way of Elizabethton/Carter Director/Community Impact Coordinator Josh McKinney. “MyFreeTaxes is a great example of how United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community.”
Here locally in Carter County, McKinney said many residents qualify for the program.
“The median income for Carter County is $42,000 a year,” McKinney said, adding a significant portion of the population is well below the national poverty standards. “Over 50 percent of our community is at 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Over 50 percent of our community makes $19,000 or less a year.”
McKinney said he refers residents who meet the income threshold to the website for the free tax preparation services.
“There is a helpline if folks need assistance,” McKinney said. “They will walk them right through it.”
Taxpayers earning less than $64,000 can enter their data through MyFreeTaxes.com, which links to a secure H&R Block website, making it easy to complete their taxes from home, at work or on mobile devices.
The key features of MyFreeTaxes include:
• Free, unlimited, personalized real-time chat and phone support from IRS-certified operators at 1-855-MY-TX-HELP. The helpline, with staff that speaks both English and Spanish, operates from January 13 through April 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST Monday through Friday and noon to 9 p.m. EST on Saturday.
• Refund RevealTM will show filers how and why their refund amount is changing.
• MyFreeTaxes is promoted by United Way, and users can contact their local United Way for other local resources, or find ways to volunteer and further support their community.
• Advanced functionality for those working in the gig economy or need to include information regarding real estate investments, stock options or inheritance taxes.
When it comes to security and protecting client data, H&R Block is among the industry leaders. Its online filing platform contains:
• Encryption technology that helps safeguard sensitive information.
• Several layers of authentication for H&R Block account access which further protects from unauthorized access.
• Secure connection established between client’s browser and H&R Block servers, encrypting any data that is passed between them to protect the privacy of that data.