Money in Your Pocket
Money in Your Pocket Update (March 16, 2020)
Due to the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we have closed our Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) tax preparation sites until further notice. In the meantime, individuals can file their taxes using United Way’s online tool, MyFreeTaxes.com or use the Touch-Free Taxes program. See below for more information.
Money in Your Pocket Tax Preparation Program
The Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) campaign is a community collaboration of organizations led by United Way of the Capital Region that is committed to the economic stability of local families. The program aims to increase use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Volunteers prepare computerized, electronic returns through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Tax Income Assistance (VITA) program, which is designed to provide low- to moderate-income working families with help completing federal and state returns, and obtaining credits for which they are eligible.
The Money in Your Pocket program is funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, and PNC Bank.
For tax year 2018, 272 volunteers filed 4,642 tax returns, resulting in more than $4.66 million returned to local families.
Do Your Own Taxes Online for Free*
MyFreeTaxes for Simple Returns
Individuals with computer skills can utilize the website, www.myfreetaxes.com and prepare their own state and federal taxes. This easy-to-use website is sponsored by United Way Worldwide and powered by H&R Block. For more information, view the flyer below or visit the website to get started.
* If you have rental income, capital gains or self-employment income to claim, you may not be eligible for free filing.
IRS Free File for Self-Employed Individuals
Individuals who are self-employed can use IRS’s Free File, delivered by turbotax, to file for free. (Self-employment includes things like driving for uber or meal delivery services, freelance work, etc.)
Touch-Free Taxes Program
United Way of the Capital Region is pleased to announce a new tax preparation program for people who made $66,000 or less last year. Touch-Free Taxes can be done from the comfort of your home and connects you to a trained volunteer to complete your taxes at no cost.
Simply go to our secure site and answer a few questions. You will need to upload photos of the same tax information and forms as you would for any tax service. This can be done by scanning them or taking a photo with your smart phone. You will set up a time for a telephone interview with a certified volunteer tax preparer to review your forms. A local volunteer preparer will complete your state and local returns. Once that step is complete, you will have a second phone call to review the results before the forms are sent to you electronically to sign. Our United Way will electronically file your federal and state returns. Your local return will be sent to you to mail to your local tax office. Get started today!
Questions?
E-mail [email protected] or call 717.724.4077.
