Volunteers with United Way’s free tax preparation sites in Everett, Marysville, Monroe and Lynnwood helped 2,534 Snohomish County families get $3,980,759 in refunds this tax season.

That money will be used at area businesses, to pay of credit card debt or put into savings.

“The tax preparation sites have been a huge success,” said Dennis G. Smith, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County. “Free tax preparation, encouraging people to save and promoting other financial education programs are part of our effort to encourage financial stability among Snohomish County families.”

Of the almost four million dollars in refunds, more than a quarter - $1.28 million - was received through the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal program intended to help low-income working families keep more of what they earn.

Asset specialists at each site also helped customers pull credit reports, apply for public benefits and encouraged people to buy $18,750 in US Savings Bonds.

Over the past six years (including 2012), United Way volunteers have prepared more than 9,204 tax returns worth almost $15 million in refunds for Snohomish County families.

The six tax sites throughout the County were run by United Way with sponsorship and support from The Boeing Company, the Washington State Department of Commerce, Bank of America, Moss Adams LLP, Goodwill, the Wal-Mart Foundation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

United Way is a community impact organization serving Snohomish County for more than 70 years. In addition to funding 102 programs through 39 agencies with a special focus on local health and human services, United Way of Snohomish County supports a number of initiatives focusing on early learning and education, financial stability for families, a youth program, North Sound 211 and an emerging initiative in survival English.