United Way of Greater St. Louis is providing free tax preparation services to local families with a household income of $69,000or less in 2025. Through the 211 referral system and in partnership with local tax coalitions, over 600 certified volunteers will seek to help working families file taxes and maximize returns.
Most tax site locations require appointments which can be scheduled online or by phone. Local residents can dial 211 or visit 211helps.org to find their nearest tax preparation site, learn how to make an appointment, or get more information.
“Providing financial stability for our local neighbors is one of the most important areas of impact that we prioritize at United Way, and helping local individuals file their taxes correctly and efficiently at no cost is one of the ways we implement that impact,” said Linda Harris, Vice President of Impact and Systems Change for United Way of Greater St. Louis. “As we begin a new year, many people are striving towards various financial and savings goals, and trained volunteers will help to ensure families receive all the tax credits they qualify for which will help them increase their income.”
Last year, United Way’s tax coalition partnership filed nearly 19,000 tax returns in the St. Louis region, helping local low- and middle-income families receive more than $16 million in tax refunds. There were 686 IRS-certified volunteers who contributed over 34,000 hours to provide free tax preparation services for people across the region.
United Way’s tax coalition partners include Metro – St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Gateway EITC Community Coalition, National Association of Black Accountants – St. Louis Chapter, and St. Louis Tax Assistance Program.
United Way has long focused on helping to raise awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal and Missouri state tax credit that helps off-set the tax burden for low-income working families. The average national EITC refund in 2025 was $2,894. According to the IRS, in 2025, more than 24 million workers and families nationwide received over $69.6 billion in EITC.
“A lot of low-to-moderate-income households work incredibly hard to make ends meet throughout the year, and the EITC offers a meaningful opportunity to recognize that effort and provide a much-needed financial boost,” said Harris. “Supporting our neighbors in accessing the EITC is one of the many ways we help reduce the burden of poverty, and the United Way is proud to continue strengthening these efforts to make a real difference for families across our region.”
About United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way of Greater St. Louis unites people, resources, and funding to help build strong and equitable communities across a 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois. United Way’s impact on the community includes equipping over 160 local nonprofits with vital funding and training resources, operating the largest Volunteer Center in the region, and connecting local neighbors to providers of services through its 211 Helpline. For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www.HelpingPeople.org.
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