Leading Nonprofits Join the Walmart Foundation to Launch MyFreeTaxes, the Nation's Only Free Online Federal and State Tax Preparation and Filing Initiative for Eligible Taxpayers

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MyFreeTaxes provides free federal and state tax preparation and filing assistance, both online and in-person, to eligible households earning $58,000 or less a year. MyFreeTaxes.com is the only free online platform that can be used to file federal and state taxes in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. The program has helped millions of individuals and families claim more than $8 billion in tax credits and refunds since 2009.

The national MyFreeTaxes partnership between Goodwill Industries International, National Disability Institute and United Way is funded by a $4.3 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. The MyFreeTaxes partnership works with filers to maximize their refunds and help eligible families and individuals claim valuable tax credits to help keep more money in their pockets.

MyFreeTaxes.com is an easy, fast and secure federal and state tax filing site powered by H&R Block ®. The online tool allows eligible taxpayers, with a combined household income of $58,000 or less, to self-file for free using a simple step-by-step process that includes telephone and online chat support.  

Taxpayers can also file in-person at 175 United Way and Goodwill® led community-based tax preparation sites and 30 American Job Center locations as well as Veterans Administration Centers and veteran organizations where eligible individuals and families earning $58,000 or less can file for free using MyFreeTaxes.com and receive free, in-person assistance from onsite tax coaches in select locations. Many of these locations not only offer MyFreeTaxes.com filing on site, but also serve as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, where IRS-certified volunteers help eligible taxpayers earning $52,000 or less per year prepare and file their taxes.

Now in its sixth year, MyFreeTaxes is expected to help return an estimated $2 billion this year in total tax refunds and credits, including $550 million in EITC and help save $300 million in tax preparation fees.

The program is also expected to help more than 182,000 people with disabilities file their taxes for free and expand knowledge of EITC and other available tax credits.  

"At Walmart, we know that every dollar counts for American families," said Julie Gehrki, senior director of the Walmart Foundation. "We're excited to partner with leading nonprofits to offer MyFreeTaxes, a completely free tax-filing service for those who are eligible. We expect MyFreeTaxes will help return an estimated $2 billion in total tax refunds, credits and tax preparation savings this year, and those are dollars that make a real difference for millions of families."

-       Julie Gehrki, Senior Director, The Walmart Foundation

"Ensuring that free tax preparation and filing assistance is made available to all that qualify provides a valuable service to those who need it. The services provided through tax education and assistance programs also help people get the tax credits they qualify for, such as Earned Income Tax Credit. We appreciate our partners who offer these services to taxpayers."

--- Peggy Bogadi, Commissioner, Wage & Investment Division, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

---

Key Data Points:

• Of the 146 million U.S. taxpayers filing in 2012, 96 million reported adjusted gross incomes of $50,000 or less. Many of those taxpayers were eligible for a number of tax credits that often go unclaimed.
• 1 in 5 Americans who are eligible for the EITC are not receiving it. MyFreeTaxes is expected to help return more than two billion in total tax refunds, credits and tax preparation fee savings to eligible individuals and families nationwide.
• Since 2009, MyFreeTaxes has helped millions of individuals and families file free federal and state tax returns, resulting in nearly $8 billion in federal income tax refunds, nearly $1.5 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits and more than $913 million in tax preparer fee savings. MyFreeTaxes has also helped more than 820,000 taxpayers with disabilities file their returns.

For more information, get help filing your taxes through MyFreeTaxes.com or to find an in-person filing site near you, visit MyFreeTaxes.com or call 1-855-My-Tx-Help.

About Philanthropy at Walmart 
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women's Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart's giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.

About United Way
United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit www.UnitedWay.org

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in other countries. Goodwill is one of America's top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, 6.7 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or at @GoodwilllCapHill, or find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About National Disability Institute
National Disability Institute (NDI) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to building a better economic future for people with disabilities. The first national organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, financial education, asset development and financial stability for all persons with disabilities. National Disability Institute effects change through public education, policy development, training, technical assistance and innovative initiatives. Since 2005, National Disability Institute and its Real Economic Impact (REI) Network has helped millions of people with disabilities receive more than $1.8 billion in tax refunds. To learn more, visit www.realeconomicimpact.org. Engage with National Disability Institute on Facebook: RealEconImpact or follow NDI on Twitter: @RealEconImpact.

SOURCE Walmart Foundation; MyFreeTaxes