A global non-profit agency is once again teaming up with a business leader in the tax preparation industry to help low-income families across the country prepare their annual tax returns.

For the past several years, United Way has joined forces with H&R Block to provide free online tax filing services for families who meet an income requirement. That includes not only federal tax filing but also state returns if applicable.

“We will have the link up on our website,” said Crystal Carter, Community Impact Coordinator for the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County. Those interested in taking advantage of the free tax preparation service can visit the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County’s website at www.uwayecc.org or they can go directly to the partnership website www.MyFreeTaxes.com.

This year, the threshold to take part in the free program is $66,000, so families earning less than that amount during 2017 qualify to have their taxes prepared free online.

A large number of Carter County residents qualify for the free tax preparation service due to their incomes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Carter County in 2016 was $33,177.

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 nine years. Since that time, the partnership has helped more than 1,000,000 taxpayers claim every deduction and credit they deserve.

MyFreeTaxes is powered by H&R Block’s premium software, so filing is easy, secure, and guaranteed to be 100 percent accurate according to information from H&R Block regarding the program. The software scans for any tax credit which the individual filing might be entitled to, making sure they get the maximum refund possible.

For those who may be nervous about filling out their own taxes online, H&R Block offers real-time support from IRS-certified specialists who are available at any time to answer questions or provide assistance.

According to Carter, the United Way’s partnership with H&R Block to provide tax preparation services for those with a qualifying income works with the agency’s goal of fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in the community.

To help community members even further, Carter said on February 1 the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County will be opening a computer lab inside their office at 210 South Hills Drive, Elizabethton. The computer lab will be free for the public to use for activities such as filing tax returns, employment searches, or homework assistance.

Carter is also hoping to find some volunteers to spend a day or two at the United Way computer lab to help individuals with tax preparation questions.

Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with tax preparation is asked to call Crystal Carter at 423-543-6975 or e-mail her at director@uwayecc.org.