Appointments for the 2025 Tax Season are open now!
United Way’s Free Tax Preparation program helps low- to moderate-income households meet their basic needs and build financial assets. Residents who earn a household income of $66,000 or less can have their federal tax returns prepared, e-filed and direct deposited for FREE by United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
United Way IRS-certified volunteers who are passionate about taxes will prepare your return and determine if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credits, Childcare Credits, and/or Education Credits when you file.
We do simple returns. We cannot accept returns that have rental income or self-employment income at a loss, with expenses exceeding $35,000, or with employees. Please call to see if you qualify.
Choose an option that is right for you
1. File Yourself – Have a simple tax return and a computer? You can file yourself for FREE. All you need is the AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) amount from last year’s return. Click to file with MyFreeTaxes.com
2. Schedule an appointment at one of our VITA sites – We are making appointments now. See the list of tax sites below.
ALL SITES ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY:
Please call 941-421-7100 or 2-1-1 (or 239-433-3900) for scheduling.
1. Port Charlotte: Family Services Center, 21500 Gibralter Dr. | Tuesdays & Wednesdays
2. Punta Gorda: New Life Church, 507 W. Marion Ave. | Mondays
Please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, and preferred time to receive a call back in case our staff are busy attending to other calls.
You can put the ‘Volunteer’ in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Volunteering for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a fun and easy way to help others in our community. You don’t need to be a “numbers-person” to help, either! The software (a partnership between Tax-Slayer and the IRS) does all the heavy lifting. Over 85% of our volunteers have had no prior experience in tax prep.
Through the VITA program, you can help hard-working individuals and families in our community take advantage of every credit and deduction they qualify for and reinvest their refunds back into Charlotte County. Contact the United Way of Charlotte at 941-627-3539 for more information or complete the volunteer application.
Volunteer Positions:
• Appointment Setters make phone calls to clients to schedule their time slot.
• Greeters’ welcome VITA clients to the site and ensure that they are prepared with all required documentation to meet with the tax preparer.
• Tax Preparers help individuals and families prepare their tax returns and ensure all eligible taxpayers receive their qualifying tax credits.
• Site Coordinators/Quality Reviewers manage the operations of the United Way VITA site, including volunteer staff and quality control.
These roles contribute to families’ financial stability every year. Behind every return, there is a story. Volunteers hear these stories and experience firsthand how they are making a difference every time they volunteer.
