Free Tax Help Bay Area

Frequently Asked Questions About Free Tax Help

Filing your taxes can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. United Way Bay Area’s Free Tax Help program offers safe, accurate, and completely free tax preparation to help you file with confidence and get the money you qualify for.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from taxpayers.

What should I bring to an in-person tax site?

You’ll need documents that show your income, identity, and any tax credits you may qualify for. View the full checklist of what to bring.

What if I can’t get an appointment or the wait is too long?

You still have free options. In addition to in-person tax sites, you can prepare your own return online using UWBA’s free self-prep/self-filing option OR have a remote tax team prepare your return through GetYourRefund. Find all options above.

What if I’m missing my W-2?

Here are your options — listed in order of what works best:

1. Ask your employer for a copy.
   This is always the fastest and best option if they are available.
2. Request an unmasked W-2 transcript from the IRS (best backup option).
   If you cannot get your W-2 from your employer, you can contact the IRS and request an unmasked W-2 transcript, which includes the employer’s full EIN, the exact business name, and the business address. This information is required to accurately recreate your W-2 and e-file your return.
3. IRS wage transcripts (masked).
   Standard IRS transcripts often hide part of the EIN. These may help verify income, but usually cannot be used to e-file because the full employer information is missing.

I haven’t received my IP PIN letter. What should I do?

You can retrieve or create your IP PIN online through the IRS. Get your IP PIN here.

Why is my refund lower than last year?

Many things can affect your refund, including changes in income, tax credits, or withholding. Bring last year’s tax return to your appointment, and your tax preparer can help compare the two and explain what changed.

When is the deadline to file my 2025 tax return?

The federal tax filing deadline for 2025 returns is April 15, 2026. This is also the deadline to pay any taxes you owe.

How do I know if I qualify for tax credits?

The best way to find out is to have a free tax return prepared by one of our trusted tax teams. Find a tax site near you!

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit for people who worked and earned income. You can qualify whether you are single or married and whether or not you have children.

For tax year 2025, the federal EITC can be worth up to $8,046 for families with three or more qualifying children. California also offers CalEITC, worth up to $3,756.

These credits can reduce the taxes you owe or increase your refund — even if you owe no income tax.

I filed my taxes, but haven’t received my federal refund. What should I do?

Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund” tool to check your status, and your exact refund amount.

How can I get copies of my past tax returns?

For federal returns, request a transcript from the IRS using “Get Transcript”. For California state returns, you can request copies from the California Franchise Tax Board.