Eligible taxpayers can get help preparing their tax returns via United Way of Knox County – and they won’t even have to get out of their cars to do so.

The county United Way is partnering with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program again this year to offer curbside help with tax preparation.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we feel we must protect both our staff and clients, and using a curbside drop-off service does both,” Executive Director Kelly Brenneman said in a press release.

This service is available to single filers who have an adjusted gross income of $65,000 a year or less.

The United Way of Knox County said its goal is to alert taxpayers about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Care Tax Credit, which “can put money in their pockets.”

“The EITC helps individuals and families with low to moderate income keep more of what they earned,” Brenneman said in the release. “This is money that can be used to purchase necessities and boost savings.”

United Way of Knox County offers free tax preparation assistance from IRS-certified volunteers. They will ask needed questions to find out if you qualify for the service as well as the EITC and other refundable credits. They also prepare and e-file (file electronically) your return at no cost to you.

To set up a curbside appointment, phone 740-397-5721, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. United Way offers evening and Saturday appointments on a first-call, first-serve basis.