United Way is helping hardworking families hang on to a little more of their hard earned money this year. Working with community partners, we’re scheduling appointments so that people can have their taxes prepared and filed for free.

Simply by dialing 2-1-1, those earning less than $49,000 (filing individually or as a family) may have their taxes prepared at no cost at one of the many convenient Lexington or Nicholasville locations. United Way 2-1-1 call specialists will schedule a time and location most convenient, and let the caller know what documents they will need to bring.

Filers will also be made aware of little known tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, by representatives at the tax preparation sites. All too often, these specialized credits are missed when one prepares their own taxes or even pays for the preparation. Tax center representatives will work to find all the tax credits you qualify for and put your hard earned money back into your own pocket.

Last year, more than 2,400 people in Central Kentucky had their taxes filed for free, resulting in nearly $3 million in refunds. This is money back into the hands of those who earned it, and back into our local economy!

So if you or someone you know earned less than $49,000 in 2009, let us prepare your taxes for free!

Just dial 2-1-1 for more details.

Attention employers – please share this information with your employees. If you would like materials to distribute to your employees, just let us know at liveunited@uwbg.org .

Free tax preparation brought to you by United Way of the Bluegrass , Community Action Council , CKEEP – an initiative of LexLinc and Kentucky Poverty Law Center – and others.