United Way of Greater St. Louis and partners to provide free tax prep for local residents
United Way of Greater St. Louis is partnering with local tax coalitions through its 211 referral system to provide free tax preparation services to St. Louis-area families with a household income of $60,000 or less in 2023.
Most tax site locations require appointments which can be scheduled online or by phone. Walk-in locations are limited.
Local residents can dial 211 or visit 211helps.org to find their nearest tax preparation site, learn how to make an appointment, or get more information.
“Every year, we look forward to how impactful these free tax preparation services can be for individuals and families who are seeking an alternative to paying for costly tax preparation fees,” said Linda Harris, vice president of Impact Strategies and Systems Change. “Trained volunteers will work to ensure families receive all the tax credits they qualify for. This assistance will help a lot of them increase their income, so they’ll have more money for essential needs, paying down debt, and more.”
Last year, United Way’s tax coalition partnership filed more than 19,000 tax returns in the St. Louis region, helping local low- and middle-income families receive more than $17 million in tax refunds. There were 746 IRS-certified volunteers who contributed over 34,700 hours to provide free tax preparation services for people across the region.
United Way’s tax coalition partners include Metro – St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Gateway EITC Community Coalition, National Association of Black Accountants – St. Louis Chapter, and St. Louis Tax Assistance Program.
United Way has long focused on helping to raise awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal and Missouri state tax credit that helps off-set the tax burden for low-income working families. The average national EITC refund in 2023 was $2,541. According to the IRS, in 2023, more than 23 million workers and families nationwide received over $57 billion in EITC.
“The Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits are great opportunities for working families with children to secure a better financial future,” Harris added. “Research has shown that the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit help low to moderate-income families have additional long-term societal benefits, including increased child well-being, health, and future earnings.”
About United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way of Greater St. Louis unites people, resources, and funding to help build strong and equitable communities across a 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois. United Way’s impact on the community includes equipping over 160 local nonprofits with vital funding and training resources, operating the largest Volunteer Center in the region, and connecting local neighbors to providers of services through its 211 Helpline. For more information, contact (314) 421-0700 or visit www.HelpingPeople.org.
