Plus 4 Tips from Tax Experts to Maximize Your Refund
by Alexis Basgil, MPA, Director of Financial Prosperity and Emergency Management at United Way Broward
Tax time is coming soon, and this year, it’s easier than ever to file your taxes when you use My Free Taxes® — United Way’s free, online tax-filing program. My Free Taxes lets U.S. tax filers who earned less than $89,000 last year file their federal and state taxes online for free.
Since 2009, My Free Taxes has helped people across the U.S. file more than 1.5 million returns, save $318 million in tax-prep fees, and receive over $2.1 billion in refunds.
The secure software walks you through the filing process and screens for common tax deductions and credits. In 2025, My Free Taxes helped people get $14.8 million back in Earned Income Tax Credits.
Tax situations covered in My Free Taxes include:
Tax situations covered in My Free Taxes include:
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W-2 income
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Schedule C Self-Employment
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limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV
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student education expenses, credits, or student loan interest
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unemployment income
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claiming the standard deduction
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Earned Income Tax Credit
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child tax credits
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child and dependent care expenses
Filing through My Free Taxes usually takes about an hour, and you can file on your phone, tablet, or laptop. If you need assistance, use the MyFreeTaxes Helpline to talk to a real person trained by the IRS. The helpline is available to answer questions about MyFreeTaxes, troubleshoot any software issues you may experience, and answer some tax questions.
The MyFreeTaxes Helpline can be reached at 866-698-9435. It is available from 10 am to 8 pm ET daily from January 27 to April 18. From April 21 through October 31, the helpline is available Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm ET.
In addition to using My Free Taxes as an important tool when filing returns, tax experts offer the following tips to minimize any mistakes and to maximize your refund this tax season.
1. Choose Carefully
One of the common mistakes taxpayers make is selecting the wrong filing status. This mix-up can affect your eligibility for credits and deductions, the value of your standard deduction, and even your tax bracket.
For example, if a taxpayer with children is getting divorced, he or she may not be sure if they should file as “married filing jointly” or “married filing separately” or whether they qualify to file as head of household. MyFreeTaxes can help answer these questions. Use My Free Taxes’ Help Line to talk to a real person trained by the IRS by calling 866-698-9435.
2. Check Yourself
Always double-check the basics on your tax returns and make sure your name and the names of your spouse and/or dependents and Social Security numbers are right. Make sure to double-check information you’ve pulled from your W-2 — transposing numbers or entering numbers in the wrong fields are common errors.
3. Find What You’ve Got Coming
Experts say early 5 million taxpayers leave an average of $3,000 each on the table each year by failing to claim common deductions and exemptions. My Free Taxes automatically screens for credit and deduction eligibility for things like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit. In 2025, My Free Taxes helped people get $14.8 million back in EITC.
Nearly 20% of eligible people don’t claim the EITC. Depending on income and number of children, it could mean leaving up to $7,000 on the table. You may think you can’t get the EITC if you don’t earn enough money to file a return. This assumption is incorrect. EITC is a refundable credit, so even if you don’t owe taxes, you can still get the EITC.
4. School Yourself
Education credits are another often-overlooked benefit. Depending on the kind of academic program, what year the student is, income and other restrictions, a student may be able to use the American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 or the Lifetime Learning Credit of up to $2,000. And know that My Free Taxes software screens for this credit automatically as it guides you through your returns.
Using My Free Taxes helps you avoid all four of these mistakes. You usually can do it in one hour on your phone, tablet, or laptop and save tax-prep fees. Visit MyFreeTaxes.com to get started today.
United Way Broward is committed to making tax season easier, safer, and more affordable for every resident, and as part of our commitment to financial security, we’ve partnered with trusted community organizations to offer free, in‑person tax‑preparation services.
Whether you need one‑on‑one support, language assistance, or simply the confidence of working with an IRS‑certified tax preparer, you can visit 15 locations across Broward County to get reliable, proven help.
Explore the sites below to find the one that best fits your schedule, neighborhood, and preferences.
Coral Springs
Northwest Regional Library
3151 N. University Drive, Room 214 and Multipurpose Room
January 31, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? Yes
Davie
Nova Southeastern University
3050 Ray Ferrero Junior Blvd.
January 31, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm; Sundays from noon to 4 pm
Appointment? No
Fort Lauderdale
Center for Independent Living of Broward
4800 N. State Road 7, Building F120
February 3, 2026 to April 14, 2026
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 am to 4 pm
Appointment? Yes
African American Research Library
2650 NW 6th St.
January 21, 2026 to April 15, 2026
Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 pm to 7 pm; Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? No
Urban League of Broward County
560 NW 27th Ave.
January 26, 2026 to May 15, 2026
Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to noon
Languages: English, Spanish, more
Appointment? Yes
Hollywood
Hispanic Unity of Florida — Main Site
5840 Johnson St.
January 20, 2026 to April 15, 2026
Tuesdays from 10 am to 3 pm and Tuesdays from 5 pm to 8:30 pm; Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? No
Miramar
Community Access Center — Miramar Branch Library
2050 Civic Center
January 26, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? No
Community Access Center
8910 Miramar Pkwy., Suite 208
February 7, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm
Appointment? No
Oakland Park
City of Sunrise Senior Center
10650 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
February 7, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Saturdays from 9 am to noon
Appointment? Yes
Gateway Medical
4513 NW 31st Ave.
February 7, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm
Languages: English, Spanish, more
Appointment? Yes
Pembroke Pines
South Regional Broward College Library
7300 Pines Blvd.
January 24, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 3 pm
Appointment? No
Plantation
West Regional Library
8601 West Broward Blvd., Room 142
Jan 20, 2026-Apr 15, 2026
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 pm to 7 pm; Thursday from 3 pm to 5:30 pm; Saturdays from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? No
Pompano Beach
Community Access Center — E. Pat Larkins Community Center
520 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
January 27, 2026 to April 15, 2026
Tuesdays from 10 am to 3 pm; Wednesdays from 2:30 pm to 7 pm; Fridays from 9:30 am to 3 pm
Languages: English, French
Appointment? No
Tamarac
Tamarac Community Center
8601 W. Commercial Blvd.
January 21, 2026 to April 15, 2026
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:30 am to 6:30 pm; Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm; Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? Yes
Tamarac Recreation Center
7525 N. University Drive
January 24, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm
Languages: English, Spanish
Appointment? Yes