Seattle City Wire

As the COVID-19 pandemic maintains its grip, low- and moderate-income families can receive free help completing their tax returns virtually through the United Way of King County.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, offers service in 20 languages, United Way said in a release about the program.

Trained volunteers assist taxpayers either online at www.getyourrefund.org/en or by calling 211.

"The trained volunteers will help filers claim all the credits for which they are eligible, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is widely considered a powerful tool to help people overcome poverty," United Way said.

An estimated 20% of taxpayers don't claim the credit because they might not realize they are eligible, United Way said.

"The pandemic has put a financial strain on families," Walter Washington, financial stability program manager at United Way of King County, said in the release. "People are struggling to buy food and pay their rent. There are a lot of tax credits for which lower-income people qualify, and we want to make sure they claim those credits and get their refunds as soon as possible."

In Washington State, more than 400,000 eligible families received an average of $2,143 in Earned Income Tax Credits in 2020, United Way said.

Taxpayers may want to use the "lookback" rule Congress passed, the news release said.

"To support economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Congress passed a new 'lookback rule,' which means if a tax filer earned less in 2020, they can use either the 2019 or 2020 income on their taxes — whichever one gets them the most money back," United Way said.

The tax assistance service will be offered until April 18, the news release said.