Identity theft and tax scams top the list of what Goodwill’s tax prep managers are concerned about for their clients this filing season.

That’s why they advise to come early and file, because the Internal Revenue Service sometimes is slowing the process to spot scammers.

“More noncustodial parents are claiming child- and earned income tax credits, which are designed to help the actual caregivers for dependent children,” according to a Goodwill news release.

“The IRS will flag and provide a short delay to these types of returns to help guard against multiple claims. Consumers are advised to file early to minimize the risk of this happening.”

Also, though reminders are issued each year, tax scams persist, and not just through phone calls.

“The IRS does not request personal or financial information by phone, email, text or other social media channels,” Goodwill noted. “The IRS will never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest or legal action or demand you pay taxes without a formal appeal process.”

Goodwill’s free Tacoma tax center runs Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. during tax season, and is on the third floor of its Milgard Work Opportunity Center, 714 S. 27th St., Tacoma.

Reservations are required. Call 253-573-6832 to get one.

The center will provide tax help and filing to singles and households making less than $54,000 a year.

According to Goodwill, last year the tax site “provided $301,618 in free tax services, helping 1,067 tax filers to obtain nearly $1.4 million in refunds.”

The site is made possible by Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, the IRS and the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition, with financial support from KeyBank.

If the Milgard site is not convenient for you, 75 other locations in Western Washington offer the free service for qualifying individuals. Visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep for other nearby sites and availability. Reservations are required at many of the locations.

What to bring: W-2 forms; Social Security card for yourself, your spouse, each child and/or dependents; 1099 forms (interest, earnings as an independent contractor); unemployment form; proof of child-care payments; state-issued photo ID; last year’s tax return (if available); and bank account and routing number for direct deposit (if applicable).