Free Tax Return Preparation

Just Harvest’s tax sites open on January 22, 2024.  Schedule a tax appointment by visiting pa211.org/VITA 

About our Free Tax Prep Program

Every year, Just Harvest helps low-income households file their income tax return and maximize their tax refund. Launched in 2003, Just Harvest’s free IRS-certified tax return preparation service is now one of the largest in the entire state. It is typically available at four Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Allegheny County.

Just Harvest also manages the Free Tax Preparation Coalition (sponsored by United Way of Southwestern PA), which provides free income tax return preparation throughout the region.

Many people with lower incomes are eligible for tax credits and other refunds when they file their yearly tax return. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty programs. It can increase a family’s annual income by as much as 45 percent. In 2022, the EITC brought over $2 billion to 1 million households in Pennsylvania.

Unfortunately, many people do not know about the tax credits they are entitled to, or lose much of their refunds to commercial tax preparers. We are committed to the idea that low-income workers and their families should keep their tax refund, not lose them to tax preparation fees and advance refund loans.

For over 20 years, Just Harvest has offered offer free tax preparation, and our program has continuously expanded to meet the needs of communities in the Pittsburgh area. We now have six tax sites that offer in-person and virtual tax help.

Since 2003, we have completed 45,000 tax returns and refunded roughly $86 million to low-income families! Of this, over $37 million was through the EITC. This fantastic work was made possible by hundreds of volunteers donating thousands of hours of service.

For those served, these tax refunds helped put food on the table, pay off debt, make rent or mortgage payments, and pay for heat and electricity during Pittsburgh’s winter months.

Need Help With Your Taxes?

Choose from one of the following options:

Schedule a tax appointment

To schedule a tax appointment with the Free Tax Prep Coalition tax site that is closest to you, you can contact the United Way Resource Navigators in 3 different ways:

 

Interested in Doing Your Own Taxes?

 Learn if this option is right for you.

Ask a question

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Get your tax-related questions answered.

Need a copy of your tax records?

If Just Harvest did your taxes in a previous year, we can get you copies of your tax records or prior year AGIs. Please call (412) 431-8960 x212 or send an email that includes your name and the last 4 digits of your SSN to [email protected]. You can also go to www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript to obtain an online transcript of your tax returns from the IRS.

United Way of Southwestern PA Free Tax Prep