Make Tax Time a Little Easier with MyFreeTaxes.com
Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. United Way makes it easier – and free – with MyFreeTaxes.com.
Since 2009, My Free Taxes has helped millions of people file their federal and state taxes safely and securely at no cost. The website guides you step by step through the filing process and checks for tax credits and deductions you may qualify for, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit, which can both make a big difference for working families.
My Free Taxes is powered by United Way and supported by the IRS, so you can be confident your information is protected.
The program helps most filers with incomes under $89,000 prepare and file their taxes online from any computer, tablet, or phone.
You can also use My Free Taxes to claim credits you may have missed in previous years. Many people discover they’re eligible for the EITC, one of the nation’s most effective tools for reducing poverty and boosting financial stability.
Four Tips to Make Taxes Easier
In addition to using My Free Taxes when filing returns, tax experts offer the following tips to minimize mistakes and to maximize your refund this tax season.
1. Choose Carefully
One of the most common mistakes taxpayers make is selecting the wrong filing status. That can affect the credits and deductions you’re eligible for, the value of your standard deduction and even your tax bracket. When life gets complicated, taxes get more complicated, too.
For example, if a taxpayer with children is getting divorced, they may not be sure if they should file as “married filing jointly” or “married filing separately” or whether they qualify to file as head of household. My Free Taxes can help answer those questions. Use My Free Taxes’ Help Line to talk to a real person trained by the IRS.
2. Check Yourself
Always double-check the basics on your tax returns and make sure your name and the names of your spouse and/or dependents and Social Security numbers are right. Make sure to double-check information you’ve pulled from your W-2 (transposing numbers or entering numbers in the wrong fields are common errors).
3. Find What You’ve Got Coming
Nearly 5M American taxpayers leave an average of $3,000 each on the table each year by failing to claim common deductions and exemptions, experts say. My Free Taxes automatically screens for credit and deduction eligibility for things like the EITC and the Child Tax Credit. In 2025, My Free Taxes helped people get $14.8M back in EITC.
Nearly 20% of eligible people don’t claim the EITC. Depending on income and number of kids, that could mean leaving up to $7,000 on the table. You may think you can’t get the EITC if you don’t earn enough money to file a return. Wrong. The EITC is a refundable credit, so even if you don’t owe taxes, you can still get the EITC. Learn more about Earned Income Tax Credit.
4. School Yourself
Education credits are another often-overlooked benefit. Depending on the kind of academic program, what year the student is in, income and other restrictions, a student may be able to use the American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 or the Lifetime Learning Credit of up to $2,000. And know that My Free Taxes software screens for that automatically as it guides you through your returns.
Using My Free Taxes helps you avoid all four of these mistakes. Best of all, you can do it in about one hour, on your phone, tablet, or laptop – and save tax prep fees.
Filing Help When You Need It
If you need help along the way, trained IRS-certified specialists are available through the My Free Taxes Helpline to answer questions about the process.
From Jan. 27 through April 15, 2026, filers who need help can call 1-866-698-9435 daily, from 10 am 8 pm ET.
From April 21 through Oct. 15, that support will be available Monday through Friday from 10 am-6 pm ET.
The Help Line, in English and Spanish, is supported by 211 call specialists, trained by the IRS. (211 is the 24/7 go-to resource that connects people to locally available help. It’s supported by United Way and available in 99% of the U.S.)
The site also houses an extensive Frequently Asked Questions section, providing answers to many questions, ranging from “How do I print my taxes?” to “Where can I find my prior year Earned Income?”
Tax Prep Powered by United Way
United Way brings communities together to face their greatest challenges, whether that’s helping families find stability, empowering young people, or responding to crises.
For millions of Americans, tax refunds and credits are essential to their financial stability and success. That’s why United Way helps people file their taxes for free to save more of their hard-earned money.
File Your Taxes Now
Visit MyFreeTaxes.com and get started today.
