Free Tax Prep in Baltimore: CASH Sites, State Offices and Maryland's EITC
Baltimore has three kinds of free tax help: the CASH Campaign's volunteer sites, the Comptroller's own branch offices, and free online filing. CASH is closed for the season and reopens in January 2027, so the next few weeks are the time to get your papers in order. Here's who to call, what Maryland adds on top of your federal refund, and the papers CASH says you'll need.
AT A GLANCE
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Three free places to file in Baltimore
You don't need to pay a storefront preparer to claim Maryland's credits. The Comptroller's own EITC page names these free options for Marylanders.
Option | What it is | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
CASH Campaign of Maryland | Nonprofit that runs the Baltimore area's free volunteer (VITA) tax sites | 410-234-8008, Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; office at 575 S. Charles St., Suite 500 (410-528-8006) |
Comptroller branch offices | The Comptroller says you can visit a branch office for free tax preparation help | Baltimore City: 7 St. Paul St., 21202. Baltimore County: 3104 Lord Baltimore Dr., Suite 100, Windsor Mill, 21244. Book an appointment online. |
GetYourRefund | Free online filing in English and Spanish, linked from the Comptroller's page | getyourrefund.org/mdcomptroller |
Self-filing | The Comptroller points to myfreetaxes.com and Cash App Taxes | Online |
CASH Campaign: the main local option
The CASH Campaign of Maryland is the nonprofit the Comptroller links to for free tax help. Its tax page says the free tax preparation program is now closed and will reopen in January 2027. Its back-tax program is no longer taking new clients.
Last season the Baltimore metro sites filled up. CASH said some slots opened up when people cancelled, and that its online calendar or the 410-234-8008 line was the way to find them. Expect the same rush in 2027 and call early.
CASH asks for two things that trip people up:
All of your documents, before you book. CASH says it can't prepare any return without every document, and you must have them all to schedule.
Every adult on the return, in person. Each adult must come to sign.
If you can't make your appointment, cancel it so someone else can have the slot. CASH warns that it may not be able to rebook cancelled appointments, and that you must cancel before you can reschedule.
Even if you claimed the federal EITC, you must still file a Maryland return and complete the EITC section to claim the Maryland EITC.
The Comptroller's branch offices
The Comptroller of Maryland runs walk-in and appointment services from branch offices. Without an appointment, staff hand out blank forms and tax booklets, answer general tax questions, and accept finished Maryland returns. Everything else needs an appointment, which you book on the Comptroller's Locations page.
Two things to know before you go:
Pick the right office at 7 St. Paul Street. Two offices share that address. The Compliance Division there does not help with current-year individual income tax preparation, so book the Taxpayer Service office instead.
Bring photo ID and arrive five minutes early. The Comptroller also offers virtual appointments over Microsoft Teams. For those, you need internet access, a camera on your computer or phone, and an email address where the link can be sent.
The state has also replaced iFile with a new online portal, Maryland Tax Connect. If you file your Maryland return yourself, you'll use it to file, pay, check your refund and see notices.
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The Maryland money to ask about
Your Maryland return can carry credits that your federal return doesn't show. Most software and preparers add them automatically, but the Comptroller says it's worth checking before you file.
Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit
The Comptroller describes the state EITC as a credit for people who work but don't earn a lot. It can be worth up to $4,000, depending on your income and family size. It lowers the tax you owe or raises your refund. The Comptroller says claiming it won't affect your eligibility for programs like SNAP or housing assistance.
According to the Comptroller's tax credit guide, the state credit equals 50% of your federal EITC. You claim it by filing a Maryland return.
Who qualifies:
Everyone who qualifies for the federal EITC.
ITIN filers. Maryland residents who file with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number can claim the state credit even though they can't get the federal one.
Young workers without children, ages 18 to 24. The federal credit leaves this group out, but Maryland doesn't.
Investment income must be under $11,950.
The Comptroller posts a quick screening table. These are its preliminary figures for tax year 2025, the returns people filed in 2026. The 2026 figures, for returns you'll file in 2027, haven't been posted yet.
Children or relatives you claim | Single, head of household, married filing separately or widowed | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
None | $19,104 | $26,214 |
One | $50,434 | $57,554 |
Two | $57,310 | $64,430 |
Three or more | $61,555 | $68,675 |
To use it, find your row, then your filing-status column. If your income is under that amount, you may qualify. The Comptroller notes that the final answer depends on your full tax situation.
Got a letter or a text about the EITC?
The Comptroller has been contacting people who may qualify. It says a text reading "If you worked in 2025, you may get up to $4,000 from the MD Earned Income Tax Credit when you file your taxes", with a link to Qr.MarylandComptroller.gov/mdb, came from the agency. It also posts a sample of its EITC letter on the EITC page.
If you get a message that asks for payment, gift cards or your bank login, it isn't this outreach. Go to the Comptroller's site yourself rather than tapping a link.
Other state credits for families and seniors
Credit | Who it's for | Key details from the Comptroller |
|---|---|---|
Maryland Child Tax Credit | Maryland residents with a dependent under 6, or a dependent with a disability under 17 | Lowers the tax you owe or raises your refund |
Child and Dependent Care Credit | People who got the federal child and dependent care credit | Starts at 32% of the federal credit and phases out above $109,300 in federal AGI ($169,900 married filing jointly). Any credit beyond your tax can be refunded if your federal AGI is $59,400 or less ($89,100 jointly). |
Senior Tax Credit | Residents who are at least 65 on the last day of the tax year | Non-refundable, meaning it can lower your tax to zero but won't be paid out as a refund |
The child care credit is claimed on Form 502CR, Part B, which you file with your Maryland return.
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Before you call
CASH posts this list of what to bring to a free tax site. Gather it now so you can book as soon as the 2027 calendar opens.
Before you call
☐ A Social Security card for each family member, and photo ID for each taxpayer
☐ W-2 forms from every job you worked during the year
☐ Form 1099-G if you received unemployment
☐ All other income tax forms, if you have any
☐ Form 1095-A, if you had Marketplace health insurance
☐ A letter from your child care provider showing its address, tax ID number, your child's name and the amount you paid
☐ A voided check or deposit slip for direct deposit. CASH says you can split a refund across up to three accounts.
☐ A copy of last year's tax return
☐ Any letter or document about money from the IRS or Maryland
☐ Any other tax papers you received
If you're applying for an ITIN, the IRS lists CASA de Maryland in Langley Park (8151 15th Ave., Hyattsville, 240-492-5705) as a Maryland VITA site that offers ITIN services. Call for an appointment, and bring your full ITIN application package. Everyone in the family who is applying needs their own package at the appointment.
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If you live outside the city
CASH's list of statewide partners covered these nearby counties last season. These are the 2026 season hours. New hours will be posted for 2027.
County | Partner and address | How to book (2026 season) |
|---|---|---|
Anne Arundel | Anne Arundel Community College, CRSC 326, 101 College Parkway, Arnold | By appointment: 410-777-2051. Wed 3–7:30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
Howard | MakingChange, Inc., 9900 Washington Blvd., Suite 1, Laurel | By appointment: 443-518-7649. Mon, Wed and Fri 4–8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m. |
Carroll | Human Services Programs of Carroll County, 10 Distillery Dr., Suite G-1, Westminster | Call 410-386-6664. Drop-off, in-person and self-assisted filing. |
Harford | Inner County Outreach, 529 Edmund St., Aberdeen | By email (listed on CASH's partner page). Mon 1–4 p.m.; Tue, Thu, Fri and Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m. |
You can also use the IRS VITA/TCE locator or call 800-906-9887. The IRS says its Tax Counseling for the Elderly program focuses on people 60 and older, especially questions about pensions and retirement income. Most TCE sites are run by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. From January to April you can find one with AARP's site locator or by calling 888-227-7669.
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If you end up paying someone
If you don't qualify for free help, CASH suggests checking that a paid preparer is registered with the Maryland Department of Labor. Ask any preparer to check you for both the federal and Maryland EITC. The Comptroller says many people miss the state credit simply because they didn't know to ask.
If you file with software, the Comptroller says to make sure it checks your Maryland EITC eligibility, because some programs don't do this automatically. Before you submit, confirm three things:
You answered every income and household question.
The EITC appears on your federal or Maryland return, or both.
You didn't skip any questions about dependents, income or credits.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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Related help
New to free filing? Our guide to IRS Free File and VITA compares the options. For when your refund will actually land, see why EITC refunds don't arrive before mid-February. For rent, utility and other local programs, see our Baltimore financial help guides.
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026. The EITC table shows the Comptroller's preliminary tax year 2025 figures, and partner hours are from the 2026 season. Confirm 2027 details with CASH or the Comptroller in January.
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