Free Tax Preparation

Free tax preparation is the core service provided by the Boston Tax Help Coalition. Every tax season, the Coalition operates free tax and wealth building services available to all eligible low and moderate-income taxpayers in Boston. Over 400 volunteers are recruited, trained, and IRS certified annually through Boston Tax Help staff and training partners. Approximately 424 active volunteers are placed at one of the 30 free tax sites in targeted Boston neighborhoods. With site coordinator supervision, volunteers meet with over 12,000 clients and prepare their tax returns electronically free of charge. The goal is to maximize the taxpayer’s federal tax dollars, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and other tax credits that otherwise might often go unclaimed.

Taxpayers with Disabilities

The Boston Tax Help Coalition has been a national leader in the integration of free tax preparation with the needs of the disability community since 2005, when the Coalition joined with the National Disability Institute (NDI), to expand tax and asset building services to taxpayers with disabilities.  It was through this partnership that the Coalition’s Disability Initiative was born.  This effort has, as its goal, an integrated and inclusive outreach, service delivery and leadership development strategy for taxpayers with disabilities and their advocates throughout the Boston campaign.  As of 2017, 13.6% of our taxpayers report a disability, but based on the national estimates, many more taxpayers with disabilities do not know about these opportunities, are misinformed and are not accessing these services.

Financial Check-Up Program

Financial Check-Up aims to maximize the tax encounter by providing a free, individualized financial assessment session for taxpayers at ten of the Coalition’s 37 neighborhood sites. Financial Check-Up includes credit advising with a FICO Score evaluation, access to financial aid advising if needed, and referrals to other services leading to greater financial stability. It has grown from one pilot program in 2012 to ten for 2017. Financial Check-Up provides not only self-help solutions to financial issues but also an option to participate in the Coalition’s year-long, one-on-one financial coaching program.

Financial Coaching Available through the Center for Working Families

The Center for Working Families offers eligible Bostonians free access to a personal financial coach, a career specialist and a whole menu of additional resources, including income supports. To get started, all you need to do is come into the Roxbury Center in Nubian Square and attend an orientation session. If you are motivated for a long term relationship with the team that will help you identify and work towards your goals—please come see us!