This year is a landmark year for Colorado families, with an unprecedented amount of available tax credits that puts money back into their pockets. Now that the IRS is open for the season, it’s a great time to plan your filing and let families and caregivers know about tax credits that could significantly impact their finances.

Get Ahead Colorado

Get Ahead Colorado connects people to free and secure online and in-person tax filing services. A great one-stop shop for all things this tax season for Colorado residents. Visit
GetAheadColorado.org/HaciaAdelanteColorado.org to get started.

Tax Credit Highlights

Filing Your Taxes

There are many options to file taxes and some options that are free! Plus, did you know that you can file for tax credits up to 3 years past? Check out the different options here:

• File Your Taxes for Free — Get Ahead Colorado
• Tax Help Colorado

Get free in-person tax filing from an IRS-certified tax preparer at a Colorado Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). VITA services are free, accurate, and trusted sources for preparing tax returns. If you have a situation where you’re unsure about filing, VITA sites will help you prepare but it’s up to you to submit.

Check out the closest site to you by visiting Colorado Vita Sites.

Trusted Community Members & Providers – Plan Your Outreach!

You can help get the word out about all the incredible tax credits and how to file.

Need help getting a plan started? Check out the LPHA Tax Credit Outreach Project Plan Example Spreadsheet.

Need materials? Utilize Get Ahead Colorado’s 2025 Bilingual Partner Campaign Toolkit with premade posters, flyers, and images that are easy to use.

Tips & Considerations

From CPTF Financial Well-Being Working Group Members, including Lived Experience Experts (LEx)

FOR EVERYONE

• • • Consider saying “who/if you qualify” instead of “eligible”
    • Give people the information they need to decide if they want to file taxes
    • Post or distribute flyers in strategic places like clinics, places of worship, markets
    • Share information at community events related to food assistance, health, or children
    • Refer to GetAheadColorado.org / HaciaAdelanteColorado.org

FOR ORGANIZATIONS/AGENCIES

• • • Include tax information in your benefits referrals and programs
    • Provide a space for IRS-certified volunteers to assist community members with free tax filing
    • Add a tax filing widget and information to your website
    • Designate one or more computer stations for do-it-yourself tax filing (free tax filing software can be provided to you)
    • Play tax credit videos in your waiting room
    • Train staff on tax credits and how to file for free
    • Apply for your organization to become an IRS-certified tax preparation site

Financial Well-Being Resources

Supports After Tax Season

My Friend Ben
In 6 minutes, MyFriendBen checks your eligibility for 50+ government benefits and tax credits. Your personalized report tells you the cash value of each program and how long it takes to apply, so you can quickly make a plan and get started. Families were included in creating this and is user friendly.

2026 Tax Season Preview
Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit- a tax credit that will support child care providers like Family Friends and Neighbor (FFN) providers that will be available in 2026. Learn more HERE.

Illuminate Supports Economic Supports for Families

Tax credits, such as the FATC, EITC, and CTC, promote concrete supports for families, a research-informed protective factor in preventing child maltreatment. Illuminate has been a proud supporter of these tax credits, through our support of bipartisan measures that expand the EITC and CTC at the state and federal level, as well as HB24-1311, which established the Family Affordability Tax Credit.

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