Need Help Doing Taxes? This Free Program In Newark Can Help

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the City of Newark/United Way Greater Newark. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Mayor Ras Baraka recently joined the United Way of Greater Newark (UWGN) to announce the start of the 2026 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and launch the Newark Prosperity Hub, a community resource formerly known as the Newark Asset Building Coalition. The press conference was held at Leaders for Life, 84 Clinton Place, in Newark.

The VITA program provides free in-person tax assistance delivered by IRS-certified accountants to community members making $80,000 or less in taxable income, and helps them navigate the confusing tax filing process without paying accounting fees. The VITA program helps eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit and other valuable tax credits, which can total over $7,500, The VITA program, offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese, has put millions of dollars back into the pockets of Newark residents.

“When wage-earners and family providers are doing everything they can to manage their income wisely, they deserve access to tax prep experts who can guide them toward every tax credit available to them,” said Mayor Baraka. “With partners like United Way of Greater Newark and Leaders for Life, we can connect residents with IRS-certified accountants for free, in-person, and in most cases, in their neighborhood – or if they prefer, on the Newark Prosperity Hub website in both English and Spanish. We’re grateful to these partners for eight years of dedication to the people of Newark.”

With the support of the City of Newark, UWGN and Newark Prosperity Hub partners such as Leaders for Life and BRICK, VITA serves the community as a core financial wealth building initiative. Tax preparation assistance is offered in Spanish and Portuguese at select locations and is available virtually through the GetYourRefund website.

“We’ve consolidated the city’s best financial services and programs into one digital and physical home to meet residents exactly where they are,” said Catherine Wilson, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Newark. “The hub guides residents through critical stops on their journey to financial stability, this work represents a true partnership between the city, our partners and the VITA program.”

The Newark Prosperity Hub, led by UWGN, promotes well-being and economic mobility for residents by improving access to wealth-building programs. The programs aim to increase savings, reduce debt and expand financial knowledge and skills. With nearly half of Greater Newark’s population living as ALICE households, the Hub enables critical strides by connecting residents to opportunities, fostering collaboration among local partners, and building pathways that empower families to thrive.

In 2025, the federal government cut the recently expanded IRS Direct File program due to high operating costs. With the program’s elimination, services like VITA are expected to operate at maximum capacity, continuing a trend of record participation. More than 6,300 returns were filed last year through the VITA program, a 53 percent increase over the 2024 filing year.

Through the VITA program, taxes are prepared by IRS-certified preparers who personally guide filers through any questions or concerns. Residents have the option to file their taxes securely online for free or visit one of nine in-person locations, New Community Corporation (NCC) Family Resource Success Center, Urban League of Essex County (ULEC), Ironbound Community Corporation, Bloomfield Public Library, East Orange Public Library, New Jersey Citizen Action, Gateway Academy Charter School, Leaders for Life and Weequahic Family Success Center.

• To learn more about the Newark Prosperity Hub, visit www.newarkprosperityhub.org
• To find a VITA site, visit www.newarkprosperityhub.org/freetaxes
• For online tax support, visit www.getyourrefund.org/UWGN
• To support these programs and learn more about United Way of Greater Newark, visit uwnewark.org

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