Free Tax Return Assistance Kickoff Event is Friday, Jan. 28

WICHITA, Kan., Jan. 27, 2022 – United Way of the Plains is celebrating National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day with a free tax preparation event on Friday, Jan. 28. IRS-certified volunteers will take walk-ins at 9727 E. Shannon Woods from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Appointments can also be scheduled for that day or future dates and times by calling United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service. You may also schedule your appointment online here.

Tax preparation and filing services are available at no charge to households making $60,000 or less annually. Tax filers must reside in the counties of Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Geary or Marion. Covid-related guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health officials will be followed at all tax preparation sites. A list of items that should be brought to tax preparation appointments can be found at unitedwayplains.org/taxprep. An online filing option is available beginning Jan. 31 through a secure portal with assistance from an IRS-certified tax preparer at GetYourRefund.org/BEST-UWP. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 18.

VITA FACTS

• Last year, IRS-certified VITA volunteers filed 6,364 tax returns generating more than $7.6 million for the local economy
• 200 IRS-certified and trained volunteers donate their time to the program every year

This free tax preparation service is offered through the Building Economic Stability Together (BE$T) Coalition of South Central Kansas, which was founded and is supported by the City of Wichita, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and United Way of the Plains. United Way of the Plains administers the IRS grant and coordinates the activities of the coalition. Learn more about the program at the website, unitedwayplains.org/taxprep.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Prather, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Community Engagement Officer, (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4105, aprather@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.