Volunteers Help 316 Families Get $811K in Tax Refunds

Tax season usually means stress and fees, but in Denton County, Texas, it's becoming a chance for working families to get hundreds or even thousands of dollars back.

The United Way of Denton County's free tax help program is off to its best start yet. Between late January and mid-March, IRS-certified volunteers prepared 316 tax returns and helped families claim over $811,000 in refunds.

The program targets ALICE families (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), the 112,000 households in Denton County who work hard but still struggle to cover basic expenses. These are people with jobs who earn less than $64,000 a year but can't always afford professional tax preparation.

Volunteers receive special training to maximize credits that many families don't know they qualify for. The Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, and education credits can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to a refund when claimed correctly.

Since the program launched in 2008, it has prepared more than 16,000 returns, securing over $20.5 million in refunds. Families have also saved an estimated $5 million in tax preparation fees they would have paid to commercial services.

For families living paycheck to paycheck, these refunds make a real difference. The money helps them catch up on bills, buy children's clothing, or replace broken appliances like air conditioners in the Texas heat.

The Ripple Effect

When working families get more money back, the benefits extend far beyond individual households. That $811,000 flowing back into Denton County means children get new shoes, overdue medical bills get paid, and families gain breathing room in their budgets.

The volunteers also educate families who owe taxes, helping them understand why and how to prepare better for next year. This financial literacy component helps break cycles of tax trouble and builds long-term stability.

Eight locations across Denton County offer the service on a first-come, first-served basis, including the United Way office and Lewisville Public Library. Families who can't visit in person can use MyFreeTaxes.com for free online help.

The program runs through April 15, giving thousands more families time to claim refunds they've earned. Every dollar these volunteers help recover is a dollar that stays in the community, supporting the people who keep Denton County running.