United Way opens free tax preparation sites

MARYSVILLE — Last year, volunteers at the free tax preparation center organized by United Way of Snohomish County helped 347 customers file their taxes and brought back $516,974 in refunds. That money gave a boost to the local economy, built up savings and helped people pay off credit card debt. This year, the free tax preparation center in Marysville will be located at Goodwill’s Marysville Job Training and Education Center on 9315 State Ave. The site will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3.p.m., from Jan. 22 to April 15.

MARYSVILLE — Last year, volunteers at the free tax preparation center organized by United Way of Snohomish County helped 347 customers file their taxes and brought back $516,974 in refunds. That money gave a boost to the local economy, built up savings and helped people pay off credit card debt.

This year, the free tax preparation center in Marysville will be located at Goodwill’s Marysville Job Training and Education Center on 9315 State Ave. The site will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3.p.m., from Jan. 22 to April 15.

The Marysville site is one of six sites being opened by United Way throughout Snohomish County. The others will be in Everett, Lynnwood and Monroe with United Way volunteer tax preparers.

This service is available for households earning $51,000 or less.

In 2012, 2,511 Snohomish County working families had their taxes prepared for free at a United Way Tax Preparation Site, saving an estimated $414,315 in tax preparation fees. United Way customers had an average refund of $1,700, which amounted to nearly $4.28 million in refunds, including $1.25 million in Earned Income Tax Credits.

Over the past six years, United Way volunteers have prepared 9,181 tax returns worth more than $15 million in refunds for Snohomish County working families.

This year’s sponsors and partners include The Boeing Company, the Washington State Department of Commerce, Moss Adams LLP, Goodwill, the Walmart Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service.

What you should bring

Although no appointment is necessary, people should bring a picture ID; social security card or tax identification number for everyone on the return; W2s or other income statements from all employers; any 1099 forms; the name, address and tax ID number for your child care provider; records of student loan payments; records of payments for educational expenses such as college tuition; mortgage interest and property tax statements; a bank account number to receive your refund via direct deposit; last year’s tax return, if you have it; and if you’re filing jointly, both spouses must be present to file electronically.

For more information, please visit www.uwsc.org/freetaxpreparationcampaign.php or call 2-1-1 for information and referrals.

Other locations and hours in Snohomish County

In addition to the free tax preparation in Marysville, other sites will be located in Everett, Lynnwood and Monroe.

Everett

Goodwill’s South Everett Job Training and Education Center (228 SW Everett Mall Way, Everett).

Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

North Middle School (2514 Rainier Ave., Everett).

Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

South Everett Foursquare Church/Children’s Village (14 E Casino Rd., Suite D, Everett).

Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lynnwood

Cedar Valley Community School (19200 56th Ave. W., Lynnwood).

Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monroe

Park Place Middle School (1408 W. Main St., Monroe).

Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To find out more about United Way of Snohomish County, including how you can find help, how to volunteer and how United Way serves the community, please visit the website at www.uwsc.org.