Want free help with your tax return in the Sacramento region? Here’s where you can get it
All around the Sacramento region, volunteers are providing free help to low- and moderate-income residents filing their federal and state taxes, and they have the expertise to maximize your tax refund.
Wednesday Pope, who grew up in California’s foster care system, learned that appointment slots can fill up fast when she was going to do her taxes one year.
All the slots in her rural community were taken, she said, and she had just learned that the state offered something called a foster youth tax credit as part of the state’s earned income tax credit. Basically, she said, she could use the allotted credit to reduce the amount of taxes she owed. For 2024, the credit amounts to as much as $1,154 for an eligible individual aged 18-25.
In the end, she said, she watched a video and managed to figure out how to take advantage of the credit on her own, but she had wanted the help. The credit, she said, felt “like a miracle.”
“I was struggling with major financial insecurity while navigating college,” Pope said. “I struggled to afford all of my books and supplies, transportation to school, and necessities like food and shelter. I was budgeting extremely carefully, but I was still living check to check.”
Some foster youth have no safety net, lack family support and have no contingency plan when things go wrong, Pope said.
“The foster youth tax credit offered me the chance to get my head above water. I was able to make ends meet and even save a few $100 for a rainy day.”
Local tax filing help
Tax experts can find the right credits and deductions for unique situations, and local options can be found in the Sacramento region.
Through April 15, filers can call 211 to set up an appointment with a tax preparer through their local United Way affiliates, or by using the website the United Way recommends, YourFreeTaxPrep.org, and to access a free program to prepare and file returns electronically.
“It’s simple, secure, saves participants money on tax preparation fees and ensures local households keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Dawnté Early, president and CEO of the United Way California Capital Region.
California State Controller Malia Cohen also has teamed up with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to offer tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
In-person assistance can be found by visiting irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep and enter your ZIP code. Or, go to Getyourrefund.org to prepare
Last year, Placer County noted that VITA helped file 280 tax returns there, bringing $377,357 in refunds back to that community. For those who earn $67,000 or less, VITA help online or in person is accessible.
The preparers may be closer to you than you think. For instance, in Placer County, appointments are available in Rocklin, Auburn, Roseville, Foresthill, Colfax, Lincoln and Kings Beach.
While there have been reports that the IRS’ free filing programs were shut down, the government sites were still up and running this week.
