Christina Easter
The Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition will prepare and electronically file federal and state tax returns for residents at locations across Northeast Ohio through April 15.
The service is free and is provided as an alternative to residents paying to meet their tax filing responsibilities and to ensure individuals claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and child tax credits.
The Coalition is a partnership of nonprofit and local community organizations that work together to provide free tax preparation services to residents of the county as part of the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit which provides oversight for 18 VITA locations in Cuyahoga County and more than 400 Internal Revenue Service volunteers are certified as greeters, return preparers, and site coordinators.
“We look to make sure that those who are eligible for these credits claim them because this can mean almost $8,000 for a family that qualifies with three or more children,” said Kathy Matthews, director with Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit that supports the office in Ohio. “The refund residents receive helps them pay rent, utilities, and meet the household needs and not have to pay someone to complete the tax return for them. So, it is a very important and impactful program which really makes a difference to our residents.”
The Coalition offers in-person, drop-off and virtual tax preparation. Individuals can schedule an appointment online at refundohio.org, which walks users through eligibility for receiving services.
There’s an option to schedule an appointment by the location you choose which will show the dates and hours of availability through April 15. If you don’t know which site you want but there’s an area which is easiest for you to travel to, you can put the zip code and it will give you the most convenient location.
When scheduling an appointment and/or during the actual appointment, taxpayers will go through the intake process.
Required documents for tax preparation appointment:
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and dependents Government-issued current photo ID for you and your spouse (if filing jointly)
- Tax documents: W-2 (Wages), W-2G (Gambling Winnings), 1098-E (Student Loan Interest), 1098-T (Tuition), 1099-DIV (Dividends), 1099-G (unemployment), 1099-INT (Interest income), 1099-MISC (non employee income), 1099-R (Pension), 1099-SSA
- Bank account and routing number for direct deposit
In person
Most of the sites are in-person. During this appointment, you will meet with a volunteer who will complete your tax return. Next, the return is quality reviewed and ready for your signature. You walk out with your return completed.
Drop-off
These sites require that taxpayers complete the intake process when they drop off their tax documents at the designated tax site. Individuals will be notified by telephone that their return is complete and they can return to the same location. A quality review of the return will be conducted and the taxpayer’s documents will be returned.
Virtual
You will have to upload your ID(s), Social Security card(s), all of your tax documents and sign your return electronically. Final review will be completed with you over the phone.
Friday and Saturday Super Refund Events 
During the filing season, the Coalition and its partners have Super Refund Events during the filing season.
“What’s advantageous to those events is we typically have other organizations that join us who host tables for the services they provide that individuals can take advantage of,” said Matthews.
“The Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Cuyahoga County Jobs and Family Services, and Legal Aid table at these events.”
City tax returns
The Coalition volunteers do not generally complete city returns or RITA returns. However, the city of Cleveland participates in the Super Refund Events and assists Cleveland residents complete their Cleveland city tax return.
“We remind people who do not live in the city of Cleveland to file their Regional Income Tax Authority (RITA) or other city tax return,” said Matthews. “We are promoting compliance of filing returns as accurately as possible.”
No paper checks this year
This year the federal government will eliminate paper checks as it implements its payment modernization process and moves exclusively to electronic payments.
“We have a public awareness campaign underway to make sure that those who have traditionally requested a paper check have an active, safe bank account available and bring that information with them so their refund will be direct deposited,” said Matthews.
“It’s not that they won’t get their refund, it will just take much longer.”
Community benefit
Currently, the Coalition serves over 200,000 individuals in Cuyahoga County through the VITA Program and over $200 million in refunds have been claimed by residents who have been served over the last 20 years.
During the 2024-25 tax season, 10,666 clients received free tax services and the Coalition generated $13.5 million in tax refunds back into communities.
More information can be found at
irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or call :800-906-9887
Christina Easter is a freelance journalist and writer.
