Ladder Up, a non-profit organization providing free tax-return preparation for eligible low- income individuals, has kicked off the 2020 tax season with the opening of most of its community tax sites. Ladder Up estimates that the organization’s average client would pay $300 to have their return prepared by a commercial preparer. Ladder Up offers a different path, recruiting and training hundreds of volunteers each year to help thousands of taxpayers secure critical tax credits and refunds free of charge. This tax season, Ladder Up aims to increase the number of families and individuals receiving free tax help. It also hopes to raise awareness of critical tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can total more than $6,500 per return. Unfortunately, one out of five people who qualify for the EITC does not claim it. More information about eligibility and what to bring to the Tax-A-Thon celebration event can be found at www.goladderup.org.