UWCF offers Free Tax Preparation
Free Tax Preparation is running now until April 11, 2025. Here’s everything you need to know for getting help filing your taxes in Polk, Highlands or Hardee County.
Who qualifies for free tax preparation?
United Way of Central Florida can help maximize your refund at no cost to you! If your family income is less than $67,000, have a disability or speak limited English, you are eligible to have your taxes prepared for free.
During the 2024 tax season, our 12 tax sites prepared 1,310 free tax returns with 987 resulting in refunds. Almost 10 percent of our taxpayers deposited their refunds to savings accounts for total savings of $342,413. Furthermore, we estimate the taxpayers avoided a total of $322,322 in tax return preparation fees (based on the current average cost a tax return).
Tax Preparation Sites:
(Sites are open and available to residents of all counties)
Bartow Church Service Center
Tax Site: Asbury United Methodist Church
745 E. Main Street, Bartow, FL 33830
- Mondays: 9:30 – 1:00 (January 27 – April 7)
- Wednesdays, 9:30 – 1:00 (January 29 – April 9)
By appointment only: (863) 533-5822
CJB United Way Children’s Resource Center
650 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815
- Wednesdays: 12:30 – 4:30 (January 29 – April 9, excluding March 15)
By appointment only: (863) 648-1500, x 294
Fort Meade Library
75 E. Broadway Street, Fort Meade, FL 33841
- Mondays: 10:00 – 3:00 (January 27 – April 7)
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Haines City Library
111 N. 6th Street, Haines City, FL 33844
- Fridays: 10:00 – 3:00 (January 31 – April 11)
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Hands of Hope America
Tax Site: Four Corners Community Center
16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd, Clermont, FL 34714
- Mondays 10:00 – 3:00 (January 27 – April 7)
Wednesdays: 10:00 – 3:00 (January 29 – April 9)
By appointment only, (352) 432-3824
Larry Jackson Library
1700 North Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805
- Mondays: 3:00 – 7:00 (January 27 – April 7)
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Mulberry Community Service Center
211 NW First Avenue, Mulberry, FL 33860
- Wednesdays: 10:00 – 3:00 (January 29 – April 9)
- Thursdays: 4:00 – 9:00 pm (January 30 – April 10)
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Salvation Army
Assisted Self-Preparation Site
2455 Jim Galloway Road, Lakeland, FL 33810
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 4:00
By appointment only: (863) 853-2214
Women’s Resource Center
165 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33884
- Wednesdays: 10:00 – 3:00 (Jan 29 – April 9)
By appointment only, (863) 875-8379
One Day Saturday Tax-a-Thons:
Crystal Lake Elementary
700 Galvin Dr, Lakeland, 33801
Saturday, February 1: 10:00 – 3:00
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Eloise Resource Center
710 Snively Avenue, Winter Haven 33880
Saturday, February 8: 10:00 – 3:00
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Girls Leave a Mark (GLAM)
225 Lincoln Aven, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Saturday, February 15: 10:00 – 3:00
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Kelly Recreation Center Complex
404 Imperial Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33803
Saturday, February 22: 10:00 – 3:00
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523, x 103
Dial 211 to find a location near you to file your taxes or you can file for free online at myfreetaxes.com.
What do I need to bring with me?
The free tax return preparation service is provided through the United Way of Central Florida’s financial stability initiative, which prioritizes the importance of emergency savings accounts. For this reason, you are requested to bring SAVINGS account information rather than checking account information for direct deposit of refunds. This enables us to continue providing the free tax return preparation service.
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Savings Account information including routing and account numbers for direct deposit of refund
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Identification (driver’s license, photo ID, passport)
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Social Security cards or ITINs. If receiving Social Security, Form SSA-1099 can be used as a substitute for the card.
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If Married Filing Jointly: Both spouses must be present with photo IDs and Social Security cards or ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number)
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If claiming dependents, Social Security cards or ITINs for everyone claimed.
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Birthdates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the return
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Wage and earnings documents (W-2, W-2G, 1099-NEC, 1099-R, SSA-1099, etc.)
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Interest and Dividend Statements (1099-Int, 1099-Div)
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Form 1095-A if covered by Marketplace Health Insurance. If you have marketplace insurance, and do not provide the Form 1095-A, the IRS will reject the return.
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Total paid for daycare and the provider’s tax identifying number
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For personal businesses (example Uber or Lyft drivers): bring documents to substantiate deductions, such as fees paid, business miles driven, etc.
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Any other tax form such as an IRS identify protection PIN number
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Last year’s tax return, if possible
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For filing late 2021 returns the amount received for third stimulus payment
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For filing late 2020 returns the amount received for first and second stimulus payments
Do I need to make an appointment?
It depends on the site. If you’re unsure, give them a call.
What if I have an amended (corrected) return?
If you file your taxes with us, and then receive another tax form that should have been included, we can file an amended return for you; however, in order to serve taxpayers who have not yet filed, we do not do any amended returns prior to March 15, 2024.
When can I expect my refund?
The IRS states that e-filers who choose direct deposit can expect their refunds within 21 days.
Exception for filers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and/or the Advance Child Tax Credit (ACTC): As in prior years, the law requires the IRS to hold EITC and ACTC tax refunds for a period to review. Barring other issues, the first of these refunds should be available by February 27, 2024, if using direct deposit. See www.irs.gov/refundtiming
Prefer to have virtual assistance?
With MyFreeTaxes®, having your tax return prepared for you is free for filers that earned less than $60,000 in 2023! Their self-preparation software is also free and has no income requirement. So far, MyFreeTaxes has helped over 1.3 million people save $260 million in tax filing fees. MyFreeTaxes is available in English and Spanish.
The secure software walks you through the filing process and screens for common tax deductions and credits you may be eligible for. If you need help, Use the Helpline to talk to a real person trained by the IRS. MyFreeTaxes’ Helpline is open from 10 am-6 pm EST daily to clarify things like filing status. Just call 1-866-698-9435.
Other tax situations covered in MyFreeTaxes include:
- W-2 income
- Self-employment income (Schedule C and 1099)
- Mortgage interest deduction
- Health savings accounts (HSAs)
- Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
- Unemployment income
- Student education expenses and credits
- Student loan interest
- Claiming the standard deduction
- Itemized returns
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC)
- Child tax credits
- Child and dependent care expenses
- Non-resident returns
- Amended tax returns
MyFreeTaxes is fast. It’s easy. You can do it from anywhere: your phone, tablet or laptop. You can start on one device, and finish on another.
I’ve filed my taxes. What next?
Contact our partner the Personal Finance Center for financial classes, credit restoration and assistance in financial stability. There are programs available to assist you!
