News

Jan 26, 2026

This tax season, Community Action Akron Summit is here to help with free tax preparation and filing for eligible Summit County residents through the Akron Summit Earned Income Tax Program.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is an important benefit that can reduce tax bills and even provide refunds to cover key expenses. However, many people who qualify may not know about it or struggle to claim it.

Community Action’s free tax preparation program is supported by trained IRS-certified volunteers. The dedicated volunteers offer no-cost, reliable assistance to eligible residents, helping them determine if they qualify for the EITC and other tax credits. The program ensures taxpayers receive every benefit they are entitled to, without the stress or cost of filing their own tax return.

More than 86,000 federal and state returns have been completed for local residents since the Community Action program was launched in 2003.

Tax credit eligibility guidelines for Year 2025, include:

• Families with three or more qualifying children who earned less than $61,555 in 2025 (or less than $68,675 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $8,046.
• Families with two qualifying children who earned less than $57,310 in 2025 (or less than $64,430 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $7,152.
• Families with one qualifying child who earned less than $50,434 in 2025 (or less than $57,554 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit of up to $4,328. 
• Individuals who do not have a qualifying child, with earned income of less than $19,104 in 2025 (or less than $26,214 if married filing jointly) are eligible for a credit up to $649.

Eligible residents can schedule an appointment by calling 234-206-3170 or visiting app.capappointments.com/EITC.

The convenient tax preparation locations include:

• Community Action Akron Summit: 670 West Exchange Street, Akron 44302 (Google Maps)
• Ohio Means Jobs/DJFS: 1040 East Tallmadge Avenue, Akron 44310 (Google Maps)

Find more information on the ETIC Program, locations, available days and times at ca-akron.org/earned-income-tax-credit.

International students and others requiring a Form 1040-NR return are encouraged to visit our locations at Kent State University (bit.ly/ksuvita) or the University of Akron (bit.ly/uavita) for assistance.