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Abstract
Nationally, over $11 billion in tax credits goes unclaimed every year. This unclaimed money is due to eligible individuals and families not filing their taxes. In this paper, I discuss a free tax service that allows more people to file their taxes, thus making them eligible for many of these tax credits. Using observational data from my experience volunteering at this service and interviews with staff members, I find that free tax assistance does indeed help people from all backgrounds claim the tax credits they are eligible for. Specifically, this service provides personalized support from volunteers to help people feel relief during tax season. However, since this is a free program, many people may face long wait times, strict eligibility requirements, and assistance from inexperienced volunteers. I argue that filing taxes for free should be made accessible for everyone because it allows people to receive the credits they are eligible for. The findings presented here can provide insights into how tax preparation services can be personalized and accessible so everyone can complete their obligation of filing taxes.