Jan. 29, 2010 - United Way’s Earn It Keep It Save It collaborative is offering free tax preparation services for individuals and families who earned less than $49,000 in 2009. From January 29 through April 15, IRS-certified volunteers who are trained to identify federal tax credit eligibility for lower-income individuals (such as the Earned Income Tax Credit) will help put money back into the pockets of those who need it most.

"United Way is assisting local families and individuals get the most from their 2009 tax returns," said Senator Steven Horsford, Senate Majority Leader and Earn It Keep It Save It spokesperson. "Every dollar received through the Earned Income Tax Credit helps families in our community make ends meet, grows our local economy and improves economic independence."

Services are available at 42 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout the Valley as a result of the collaborative effort of public and private partnerships from committed organizations across southern Nevada. The VITA sites will be open to the public through April 15. The volunteer tax preparers are specially-trained to identify low-income tax credits, which many residents are unaware of or uncertain as to the qualifications. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the largest federal cash assistance program for low-income, working taxpayers and helps lift more families out of poverty than any other government program.

During the 2008 tax season, United Way helped more than 4,500 southern Nevada families claim more than $5 million in tax refunds, including more than $2 million in federal tax credits. For more information on free tax preparation, visit uwsn.org/EITC, dial 2-1-1 or visit nevada211.org.