Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) is a coalition of organizations that provide free tax help throughout the Bay Area led by United Way Bay Area in partnership with the IRS. Our services are free, secure, and high-quality. Tax returns are prepared by trained and IRS-certified volunteers.
We ensure taxpayers maximize their refunds by claiming cash-back tax credits like the Federal and California Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Young Child Tax Credit which is available to working Californians with young children. California residents who made less than $30,000 in 2020 may be eligible for up to $8,000 in state and federal tax credits, depending on income and family size.
Filing a California State tax return is now more important than ever! 2020 taxpayers who file a tax return by October 15, 2021, and also qualify for the Cal EITC and/or file with an ITIN and make less than $75,000 will be automatically registered to receive $600 or $1,200 payments from the Golden State Stimulus.
Fast, secure, accurate DIY filing with the help of our trained volunteers. Sign up for a session and finish your return in one hour!
If you need more support, we’ve partnered with Code for America so you can File with Help at getyourrefund.org/uwba. We are currently experiencing high volume with this virtual service so expect a 2- or 3-week turnaround.
Use the map below to find your closest tax site. You can also filter by special requirements and services. Please be sure to contact sites directly to verify days and hours of operation as they may change without notice.
Virtual tax preparation / virtual intake site: Tax preparation is done 100% remotely. Taxpayer uploads tax information/documents to tax site through secure online web portal and communicates with tax preparers through phone or video calls.
Drop-off: Taxpayer drops off tax information/documents in-person and the tax preparation is done remotely (without taxpayer present). Check with site for tax return pick-up process.
In-person tax preparation: The full tax preparation process is done in-person (socially distant and with PPE).
DIY taxes: A taxpayer is given access to the do-it-yourself (DIY) / self-prep version of the tax preparation software. The taxpayer prepares and e-files their own tax return with guidance from a tax volunteer throughout the process. Support to the taxpayer is provided through email or in a Zoom appointment.
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