United Way to file taxes for free

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Tax season is quickly approaching and one local service is offering free assistance.

The United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties has partnered with The Ohio Benefit Bank for a grant to prepare taxes for free.

Becky Clawson, Community Impact Director for United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties, said the service is available for those who fall into the guidelines.

Most single individuals with an adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less qualify for the free filing. As well as married couples filing jointly with an adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less are eligible.

In Muskingum County the filing clinics will be held at the Colony Square Mall and Zanesville Metropolitan Housing Authority with more locations to be determined.

But Clawson said there is something else they need from the community to make this possible.

“We would be happy to serve the community in this way but the only way we can do that is with our volunteers,” said Clawson.

United Way is looking for volunteers in all three communities and will be offering training classes to learn the filing system.

Clawson said the filing process is mainly data entry so the training is relatively easy if you are familiar with computers and there is no risk.

“Volunteers for the program are not liable for the persons return that they’re filing, they’re simply helping someone else prepare their taxes. The client signs their own tax return and the volunteer holds no liability,” said Clawson.

For more information or to schedule an appointment you can dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-544-1601, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.