Last-Minute Help for Tax Filers

By Katherine Michaud Smith, Creative Services Program Manager, Goodwill Industries International.

Tax day is July 15 this year, and while we may have had two extra months to prepare thanks to COVID-19 delays, you may still be scrambling to finalize your tax return and get it submitted to the IRS. The good news is, more than 20 Goodwill organizations across the United States offer free tax-filing services for those who qualify, all at no cost to you.

Even if you are not required to file your tax return, you could be leaving money on the table if you don’t. There are two tax credits — the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit — for which you may qualify. Each of these credits could return your hard-earned dollars to you after you file. If your local Goodwill participates as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, a tax filer can help you determine if you qualify and will help you file.

To learn if the Goodwill in your area provides tax-filing services, visit your local Goodwill headquarters’ website or social media accounts. You can find your local headquarters by visiting the Goodwill Locator.

If your local Goodwill does not provide tax filing services, visit the IRS’s website to find a VITA site in your area for assistance filing.