Opportunity for some to have taxes done for free in Philly

It’s the time of year when volunteers start preparing tax returns — free of charge — for low-income people in our region.

One group is warning taxpayers to be wary of others offering to fill out your return.

Mary Arthur of the Campaign for Working Families says this is the 11th year her group has organized IRS certified preparers to do pro-bono work.

Arthur says the free filing can save a person up to $500. But she urges people to be careful if a preparer is promising to file a return before the IRS starts accepting them January 30th. 

“So if someone says to you I can do your taxes, it’s just going to cue until IRS opens the portal,” said Arthur.  “If someone says they can give you an advance, until the IRS accepts the return it’s not a valid return.”

The service is available for single people earning up to $20,000 and families earning up to $51,000.

Philadelphia residents can call the city help center at 3-1-1 to find the location nearest them.