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Free Tax Assistance

United Way of San Luis Obispo County helps low- and moderate-income residents file their federal AND state tax returns for free and discover crucial tax credits available to them.

Results & Impact

Stuff the Bus

485

Tax returns UWSLOC helped file this year
Stuff the Bus

$429K

Returned to our local economy in tax refunds we helped file

How it Works

United Way of San Luis Obispo County is here to help you file your federal AND state tax returns for free and discover any tax credits available to you. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome. U.S. citizenship is NOT required.

There are 3 options to use our FREE tax assistance services and each has its own qualifications:

  1. File on your own (free for everyone!)
  2. File with virtual help (income up to $66,000)
  3. File with in-person help (income up to $64,000)

For appointments or more information contact us at taxes@unitedwayslo.org or call 805-541-1234.

To get started and find out which option you qualify for, visit MyFreeTaxes.org.

    Option #1

    File for Free On Your Own (MyFreeTaxes.org)

    Assistance offered in-person and remotely for those who are computer literate. Free for everyone; no income restrictions. No appointment required.

    United Way Locations

    (805) 541-1234 / taxes@unitedwayslo.org

    Oak Park Community Center
    901 30th Street, Paso Robles
    FEB 24 – APR 14
    Saturdays: 10AM – 2PM
    Sundays: 10AM – 2PM

    Arroyo Grande Public Library
    800 W Branch St, Arroyo Grande
    MAR 3 – APR 14
    Sundays: 11AM – 2PM

    Both locations closed holiday weekend of March 30-31

    If you’re ready to prepare and file your own taxes for free, please visit MyFreeTaxes.org to get started.


    Option #2 and #3

    Get Your Tax Return Prepared for You (VITA)

    Assistance offered in-person (for income up to $64,000) and remotely (for income up to $66,000) with the help of IRS-certified volunteers. Appointment recommended.

    AARP Locations

    (805) 931-6308 / info@ccfreetax.org / ccfreetax.org
    All AARP locations open FEB 1 – APR 14

    Paso Robles Veteran’s Building
    240 Scott St, Paso Robles
    Mondays/Tuesdays: 9AM – 3PM

    Paso Robles Library
    1000 Spring St
    Saturdays: 9AM – 3PM
    Asistencia en Español: March 23 / 30 and April 6

    St. William’s Catholic Church
    6410 Santa Lucia Rd, Atascadero
    Mondays/Fridays: 9AM – 4PM

    Morro Bay Church of Christ
    1001 Las Tunas St, Morro Bay
    Tuesdays/Wednesdays: 9AM – 4PM

    SLO Church of Nazarene
    3396 Johnson Ave, SLO
    Mondays/Tuesdays: 9AM – 3PM
    Wednesdays: 9AM – 12PM

    Ramona Garden Park Center
    993 Ramona Ave, Grover Beach
    Tuesdays: 9AM – 4PM

    St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
    301 Trinity Ave, Arroyo Grande
    Thursdays: 9AM – 4PM

    Grace Bible Church
    100 Rodeo Dr, Arroyo Grande
    Mondays: 9AM – 4PM
    Closed FEB 20, APR 10

    St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
    298 S Thompson Rd, Nipomo
    Wednesdays: 9AM – 4PM

    Cal Poly Locations

    Orfalea College of Business
    Business Administration Building, 3rd Floor
    FEB 4 – MAR 18
    Saturdays: 9:30AM – 2PM

    FAQs

    Is MyFreeTaxes.org really free?

    Yes! All filing options are completely free.

    There is no income eligibility requirement to self-file for free using the filing on your own option. To be eligible to file your taxes for free using the file with virtual help or file with in-person help options for tax year 2023, you will need to meet the following criteria:

    • Income at or less than $64,000 ($66,000 or less if filing with virtual help)
    • No rental income (from a property you own)
    • Did not file for bankruptcy last year
    • Had no cancellation of debt outside of non-business credit cards
    • No clergy income
    • If married, are filing jointly
    • If self-employed, no business related expenses over $35,000 or businesses with employees, inventory, business property, net loss, or depreciating assets.
    • No sales of cryptocurrency
    Do I quality for VITA?

    The following requirements are subject to change for the 2023 tax return year, but can be a helpful guide determining eligibility. If one of the following is part of this year’s tax return, we will NOT be able to provide you with assistance:

    • More than five (5) capital gains transactions (i.e. stock sales)
    • Rental income
    • Income from a partnership or trust
    • Depreciation related to business income
    • Multi-state tax forms
    • Form 1040 NR
    • We DO NOT do returns for taxpayers “Married Filing Separate”
    What do I need to bring?
    • Photo ID (ex: Driver License)
    • Original Social Security cards and birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents (if you do not have a social security card, please bring your Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers or we can obtain one for you if you have not applied for one in prior years)
    • Wage and earning statement(s): Form W-2, W-2G
    • Interest and dividend statements from banks (All Form 1099’s)
    • Date acquired, cost, date sold, and selling price for stock sales
    • For Day Care: Provider’s identifying number, phone number, and amount paid for care
    • For Renters: Name, address and phone number of landlord
    • Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit (encouraged)
    • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available
    • Health insurance coverage information
    • Covered CA Form 1095-A
    • All other current tax documents/forms including relevant income/expense information
    • It is extremely important that each person use the correct Social Security number.
    • In addition, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms to electronically file a joint return.

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