United Way Offering Free Tax Prep Services

United Way of Northern New Jersey is partnering with the IRS, AARP, and other community organizations to provide low-income residents with free tax preparation from IRS-certified volunteers. These free tax sites will be open in Morris, North Essex, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties from Feb. 1 through April 15.

Somerset County residents can start making appointments now by dialing 2-1-1 to be connected to a location near you. Day, evening, and weekend hours are available by appointment only. Somerset residents can have their tax returns done at the United Way office, located at 1011 U.S. Route 22 West in Bridgewater, as well as other locations throughout the county.  

This free service is available only to families and individuals with a simple return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, Schedules A & B).  The service is not applicable to businesses, stockholders, or landlords.

“Our residents unknowingly miss out on thousands of dollars in tax returns each year because they don’t know they qualify for specialized tax credits,” said Philip Brown, United Way chief professional officer in Somerset County.  “In addition, they unnecessarily spend hundreds of dollars on tax preparation fees – money that’s sorely needed these days to pay for basic necessities.”

Each year, the United Way Income Tax Assistance Program provides free tax return services and education about specialized tax credits available to area residents, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Education Tax Credit. Families and individuals could qualify for tax credits of $5,000 or more.

Through this program last year, United Way and hundreds of community volunteers prepared nearly 6,000 free tax returns at libraries, community centers and places of worship across northern New Jersey, resulting in more than $5.8 million in refunds.

To learn more about the United Way Income Tax Assistance Program, visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org.