Free tax preparations provided to low-income families

MILWAUKEE -- We have less than three months to file our taxes, and we all know those forms can sometimes be confusing, or even overwhelming.

If you find tax preparation confusing and need help filing for your taxes, there is one agency in Milwaukee County that will do it for free.

The Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition kicked off tax season Friday by offering free tax preparations at Goodwill Industries on 91st and Fond du Lac Ave.

MABC is led by the Social Development Commission to help low-income families earning less than 56 thousand dollars a year file their income tax returns.  Volunteers can help prepare your taxes, provide financial advice, check your credit score, and find you the most applicable tax refunds and credits.

"This day and time when we're trying to stretch every dollar, why not save money and come here and let us do your taxes for free," said Deborah Blanks, CEO of the Social Development Commission.  "It's about helping them understand the need to have financial literacy, to get banked and to build assets."

This is the 11th year the group has offered the free service.  Over the last decade, the program has helped more than 100,000 Milwaukee County households receive more than $100 million in refunds and credits.

Credits that taxpayer like Ruben Jones might not have received had he done his taxes on his own.

"They have the ability to probably maximize my return, whereas I'm someone who just follows the form and hopes for the best," said Jones.

MABC will be providing free tax services until Tax Day, which lands on Tuesday, April 17th this year.

There are more than 20 locations throughout Milwaukee County.

For more information and a list of locations, click here.