Financial Opportunity Center

About

Every individual has a unique situation and the ability to build financial stability and self-sufficiency. Our Financial Opportunity Center offers the tools to help you achieve your financial goals. Improving credit, paying off student loans, working to own a home and planning for retirement are some of the many topics covered in our no-cost training for our community.

Financial Education

Are your personal finances where you’d like them to be? If you’re experiencing mounting credit card debt, school loans, bad credit or even job loss, Goodwill’s Financial Education program can help you gain the skills to obtain financial freedom and build a more stable future.

This class is currently available online and in-person at our Tacoma Milgard Work Opportunity Center.

To Register:

IN-PERSON CLASSES
Online registration: www.goodwillwa.as.me
Phone: (253)-573-6508

ONLINE CLASSES:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (253)-573-6795

 

What You’ll Learn

Banking Basics

Learn about the different types of bank accounts, bank transactions, ATMs and how to overcome past banking problems. Also, how to organize your finances and protect yourself from identity theft.

Goal Setting

Identifying your goals is the first step to financial planning and making your dreams a reality. Discover why you spend money the way you do.

Create a Spending Plan

Identify your expense-to-income ratio, create your spending plan, and answer the question: What’s in it for me?

Your Credit Report

Get a free copy of your credit report, understand how your credit score is calculated and who sees it. Learn strategies to improve your score.

Insurance Planning

Everything you need to know about insurance “language,” getting the best deal, and factors that affect rates.

Investing in Yourself

Learn about savings, retirement accounts and investing 101.

Credit & Borrowing Money

Find out about credit cards, interest rates and the benefits of good credit and tips on negotiating with creditors. Learn more about home ownership and how to avoid predatory lending.

Host your own financial education classes

Opportunities available for groups (8+ people), for more information

Call: (253) 573-6795O
Or email: [email protected]

Schedule

Tuesday & Thursday weekly

10:30AM-12PM

Online and by appointment only

Are you a Tacoma Public Utilities customer?

You may qualify for bill pay assistance by attending Goodwill’s Financial Education Full course program.

Pre-registration is required to participate.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Prepare your 2022 taxes for free through Goodwill’s VITA Tax Center

VITA tax logo

Goodwill has partnered with Associated Ministries and the IRS to provide free assistance with filing personal and small business Federal Income Taxes through our VITA Tax Center.  Our trained staff and community volunteers will assist you with completing any necessary forms and file your completed taxes electronically. You may also use this service to file past tax returns for tax years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

You may be eligible for a refund, or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is the largest benefit for workers and one of the two most effective anti-poverty programs in the United States, along with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, one in five eligible households aren’t claiming the EITC benefit.

In 2023, we were able to assist many local residents with filing their 2022 Federal Income Taxes for the new WA State Working Families Credit through our VITA tax center.

  • 312 tax returns filed
  • $463,903 total refunds
  • $46,781 tax preparation fees saved

 

File your 2023 federal income taxes for FREE at Goodwill’s VITA Tax Center*

Closed for the season. Check back in January 2024!

VITA Program FAQs

Identification
– Required: Social Security Card or ITIN letter for ALL family members
– Required: Photo ID for primary taxpayer (& spouse, if married)
– Your spouse, if married filing jointly
– Bank account information for direct deposit
Income and Benefits
– W-2 form for each job worked
– 1099 forms for other income (interest, dividends, unemployment, SSA, retirement, 1099-Misc., etc.)
– Form 1095A if you purchased health insurance through WA Healthplanfinder or Healthcare.gov
– Information about any Economic Impact (stimulus) payments you received
Expenses
– Childcare expenses and provider name, address and tax ID number
– Mortgage and real estate taxes if you own a home
– Higher education expenses
– Business expenses, if self-employed

This program is available for households with an annual income under $57,000, including those that are self-employed.

VITA Partners

associated ministries logo
United Way logo
aarp logo

Partners

United Way logo