UWCF offers Free Tax Preparation
Free Tax Preparation is running January 27 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 income is less than $67,000, you are eligible to have your taxes prepared for free. Individuals with an income of $84,000 or less qualify to file their taxes for free through myfreetaxes.com.
During the 2024 tax season, the 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 St., Bartow, FL 33830
Mondays: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jan 27 – Apr 7
Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Jan 29 – April 9, 2024
By appointment only, (863) 533-5822
The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center
650 Bonnet Springs Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815
Wednesdays: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Jan 29 – Mar 12, Mar 26 – Apr 9 (No taxes at this site March 19)
By appointment only, (863) 648-1500, x 294
Fort Meade Library
75 E. Broadway Street, Fort Meade, FL 33841
Mondays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jan 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 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Jan 31 – April 11
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523 x 103
Hands of Hope America
Four Corners Community Center
16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd, Clermont, FL 34714
Mondays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jan 27 – Apr 7
Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jan 29 – Apr 9
By appointment only, (352) 432-3824
Larry Jackson Library
1700 North Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805
Mondays: 3 – 7 p.m.
Jan 27 – Apr 7
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523 x 103
Mulberry Community Service Center
211 NW First Avenue, Mulberry, FL 33860
Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jan 29 – Apr 9
Thursdays: 4 – 9 p.m.
Jan 30 – Apr 10
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523
Women’s Resource Center
165 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jan 29 – April 9
By appointment only, (863) 875-8379
Assisted Self-Preparation Sites:
The Salvation Army
2455 Jim Galloway Road, Lakeland 33810
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
By appointment only, (863) 853-2214
One Day Saturday Tax-a-Thons:
Crystal Lake Elementary
700 Galvin Dr, Lakeland, 33801
Saturday, Feb 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523 x103
Eloise Resource Center
710 Snively Avenue, Winter Haven 33880
Saturday, Feb 8
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523
Girls Leave a Mark (GLAM)
255 Lincoln Ave., Lake Wales, 33853
Saturday, Feb 15
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523
Kelly Recreation Center Complex
404 Imperial Blvd., Lakeland 33803
Saturday, Feb 22
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Walk in site, (863) 425-1523
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
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, 2025, 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 about $67,000 or less in 2024! 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
- 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.
Start now!
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!
