2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency, confidential, 3-digit phone number and service that provides easy access to housing information, and critical health and human services.

2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with multi-lingual capabilities.
If you are outside Alameda County, call 888-886-9660
For help in San Francisco, San Mateo County or Marin County, call
800-273-6222

EITC and Tax Preparation Assistance:

Call 2-1-1 (or 888-886-9660) to find a location that may be able to help you prepare your tax return for free.

Across the Bay Area at more than 180 free tax sites, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers help individuals and families claim their maximum benefit and refund. The Earn It, Keep It, Save It program partners with hundreds of community organizations and other free tax preparation providers such as Tax-Aid and AARP Tax-Aide to process almost 50,000 tax returns each year. We provide low to moderate income households with free, quality tax return preparation and access to asset building or income support resources such as public benefits, low or no cost bank accounts or financial education. We also ensure eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can amount to as much as $5,600 per family.

It is estimated that between 20% and 25% of EITC eligible tax filers are not receiving this credit. These substantial tax credits can be the first step in helping families meet their every day needs, as well as save toward assets such as higher education, a first home or a new business. During the 2009 tax season, Earn It! Keep It! Save It! returned $47 million in tax refunds to 47,166 local hardworking families and to the local economy. Over the last 7 years, the program turned a $1.3 million investment from United Way’s Bay Area Community Fund into a $154 million return for local families, seniors, individuals and our community.

In Alameda County, simply dial 2-1-1 to find a location nearby, to help you prepare your tax return and find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) of as much as $5,600 per family.

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