The City of Philadelphia provides free tax filing services to residents through partnerships with multiple non-profit organizations. It is easy to prepare and file your income tax returns with our trusted providers. Your privacy is protected and there is no cost to you.
You can also file for free at an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. Use thiswebsite to search for providers in your area. Enter your zip code and select “Search.” The site displays a list of providers with their names, addresses, and phone numbers to choose from.
Most free filers don’t need an appointment. Make sure you bring all your tax documents and your photo ID.
Income-based filing assistance
Free filing services are generally income-based, but people with disabilities or limited English can file for free with a City-partnered or IRS VITA provider. All providers offer free federal and state tax preparation and filing. These providers can also prepare and file your City Wage Tax refund for free.
Residents can use these five City-partnered free filer options:
| Providers | What’s included | Fee & requirements | Service schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign for Working Families (CWF) | State and Federal returns;Earned Income Tax Credit(EITC) andChild Tax Credit(CTC) | FREE for low-income families | Available throughout the tax season until the end of the digital filing season (usually mid-October). |
| Philadelphia Chinatown Development Cooperation | CityWage Tax refunds; State and Federal returns; EITC and CTC | FREE for limited English speakers, individuals with disabilities, or anyone earning less than $64,000 per year | Available from February to March. |
| Ceiba Inc. | CityWage Tax refunds; State and Federal returns; | FREE for limited English speakers, low-income families | Available throughout the year. |
| HACE CDC | State and Federal returns; EITC and CTC | FREE for low-income families | Available only during tax season |
| Congreso | State and Federal returns; EITC and CTC | FREE if your annual income isn’t more than $73,000 | Available only during tax season |
You can file with these providers in person or online. Visit their websites for additional information.
Claim your EITC and CTC
Along with free filing, the City makes sure you get the tax credits you are entitled to. Each year, the City’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) runs a campaign called ClaimYourMoneyPHL to remind residents about theChild Tax Credit(CTC) andEarned Income Tax Credit(EITC).
The CTC and EITC are both federal tax credits given to eligible taxpayers. Yet qualifying Philadelphians don’t apply for these tax credits, leaving over $100 million on the table.
A VITA provider or City preparer can help you claim these credits for FREE (if you qualify) even if you don’t owe federal taxes or don’t earn income.
It's safe and secure
Your information is protected from unauthorized access during preparation and filing. City providers and IRS VITA preparers can’t share or use tax return information for anything other than filing taxes.
Related content
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) resources
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) resources
