Earn It! Keep It! Save It!

Our Mission

Across the Bay Area at more than 180 free tax sites, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers help individuals and families claim their maximum benefit and refund. We partner with hundreds of community organizations and other free tax preparation providers such as Tax-Aid and AARP Tax-Aide to process 50,000 tax returns each year. We provide low to moderate income households with free, quality tax return preparation and access to asset building or income support resources such as public benefits, low or no cost bank accounts or financial education. We also ensure eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can amount to as much as $5,600 per family.

We estimate that between 20% and 25% of EITC eligible tax filers are not receiving this credit. These substantial tax credits can be the first step in helping families meet their every day needs, as well as save toward assets such as higher education, a first home or a new business. During the 2010 tax season, Earn It! Keep It! Save It! returned $57 million in tax refunds to 51,963 households and to the local economy. Over the last 8 years, the program turned a $1.5 million investment from United Way’s Bay Area Community Fund into a $210 million return for local families, seniors, individuals and our community.

Earn It! Keep It! Save It! supports United Way’s goal of helping low-income families become financially stable.