United Way-Funded Program will Help Individuals File Taxes for Free

Filing income taxes can be overwhelming, and not everyone can afford to pay for expert advice to ensure, they’re filing accurately and taking full advantage of available tax refunds. To assist these individual, the Omaha Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition — a program funded in part by United Way of the Midlands — will oversee five free tax preparation sites in the metro area.

The Coalition, which is operated by Family Housing Advisory Services, prepares more that 6,000 tax returns for local residents annually. in doing so, it helps low-income individuals receive refundable credits such as the earned income tax credit (EITC), child tax credit and the additional child tax credit (CTC/ACTC) and the America opportunity tax credit (AOTC). In 2017, the EITC, alone put approximately $305,000,000 back into the hands of Nebraska residents, an average of $2,360 per household.

At least one of five free tax preparation sites will be open every day throughout tax season until April 1. The location at 3605 Q St. is open year-round to assist taxpayers.

Free Tax Preparation Sites:

• Omaha EITC Coalition, 3605 Q St., Omaha, N 68107

• North Acres Community Center, 5449 N. 108 t Plaza, Omaha, NE 68164

• Al-Huda Islamic Center, 4735 NW Radial Hw, Omaha 68104

• Timbercreek Mercy Housing, 6816 S. 137th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68137

• Habitat for Humanity, 1701 N. 24th St., Omaha, NE 68111

Individuals seeking more information about tax preparation sites and hours are invited to contact United Way of the Midlands’ 2-1-1 Helpline by dialing 2-1-1 or texting their zip code to 89821 (Standard msg and data rates may apply when texting.) Helpline specialists are available Monday — Friday,7 a.m. – 8 p.m., and on Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.. They can assist individuals in more than 100 languages through the use of tele-interpreter service. More information is also available at www.omahaeitc.org.