Filing taxes can feel overwhelming, especially for people navigating the process on their own or filing for the first time.
Each year, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) helps remove that barrier through its Free Tax Preparation program, connecting individuals and families with trusted, no-cost tax filing support.
For thousands of Central Alabama residents, this service provides peace of mind and helps ensure they keep more of their hard-earned money.
Melissa Found the Right Support Through Free Tax Prep
Melissa Gough, a Birmingham resident, understands how stressful tax filing can be without the right guidance. In the past, she paid significant fees to have her taxes prepared and still felt unsure about the process.
That changed when she contacted 211, United Way of Central Alabama’s community resource line. After speaking with a specialist in the 211 Call Center, Melissa was referred to Free Tax Prep and quickly found the help she needed.
“They’re a wonderful group of people who want to help and give you better service for free,” Melissa said. “It’s a no-brainer. If people just knew about it, their decision would be made.”
Through Free Tax Prep, Melissa worked with trained staff and volunteers who took time to answer questions, explain each step and make the experience far less intimidating.
How Free Tax Prep Works
United Way of Central Alabama offers multiple options to make tax filing accessible and accurate based on household income.
• Households with an income of $54,000 or less can receive in-person tax preparation at no cost through Free Tax Prep. To schedule an appointment, call 211.
• Households with an income of $89,000 or less can file federal and state taxes independently using MyFreeTaxes, a secure and easy-to-use online platform.
IRS-certified staff and volunteers provide all services after completing annual training and committing to help clients feel informed and supported.
Volunteer and Support Your Community
Volunteers make Free Tax Prep possible by giving their time to help neighbors across Central Alabama. They come from a wide range of backgrounds, and no prior accounting experience is required.
Volunteer roles include:
• Tax preparers who complete IRS-approved training and prepare returns for clients.
• Student interns also gain hands-on experience and learn directly from certified volunteers.
• Greeters who welcome clients, explain the process and help ensure all required documents are ready.
In addition, training and ongoing support are provided. This makes it an accessible as well as impactful way to serve the community.
A Trusted Resource for Financial Stability
Each year, thousands of individuals and families turn to United Way of Central Alabama for help filing their taxes, often saving hundreds of dollars and gaining confidence in the process.
“I’ll never go back to doing what I did before,” Melissa said. “At the very least, people should check to see if this is for them.”
United Way of Central Alabama strengthens financial stability and helps people move forward through programs like Free Tax Prep.
To learn more, schedule an appointment or find volunteer opportunities, call 211 or click here.
This blog originally appeared in Bham Now’s “File your taxes for free! Meet a local business owner + tax-prep success story!”