You don’t have to spend a dime to get the money you deserve! Let us prepare your taxes for free.

Try this simple experiment:

Go to your bank. Withdraw about $1500. Now burn it.

Or even better: Take that money and, instead of burning it, offer it to a friend. Do they accept it, or do they toss it in the trash?

You probably get the point. It would suggest a serious lack of good judgment to willingly destroy your own money. And if someone threw away money you gave them, you might reconsider that particular friendship.

But every year, across Central Kentucky, thousands of families throw away money when filing their federal income tax returns. They, quite frankly, leave money on the table-money that is owed to them, money that can, in some cases, stabilize otherwise shaky financial situations.

The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is designed to support low-income working families. But plenty of working people simply aren't aware of the EITC or don't know if they're eligible.

But that's changing. Thanks to efforts from United Way and local partners, millions of dollars are staying here, in our community, instead of being sent needlessly to Washington. FREE tax preparation sites in our community that will help you prepare your tax return. These sites can help you get 100% of your tax refund quickly and easily – usually in less than 10 days.

United Way is a part of in the Central Kentucky Economic Empowerment Project (CKEEP), a community-based partnership to raise awareness about the EITC and other credits (such as the child tax credit) and provide free tax assistance to qualifying families. In 2008, CKEEP helped over 1,100 local households claim more than $1.35 million in federal refunds. Paying special attention to EITC eligibility and carefully reviewing each case, the volunteer tax-preparers at CKEEP centers produce an enormous impact on both the local economy and individual families.

In addition to 15 CKEEP free tax preparation sites, United Way 2-1-1 is scheduling appointments for free sites provided by Community Action Council and AARP.

It's impossible to argue with the importance of these programs. For a working family who makes under $42,000 per year, a return of $4,800 creates a huge impact. And for the overall economy of our region, $1.35 million is quite a "shot in the arm."

For questions or to schedule your free tax preparation, simply dial 2-1-1.

If you are calling outside Central Kentucky or 2-1-1 does not work on your phone, please dial 859-313-5465.