By Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The tax man cometh, sooner than most of us care to think about.  Uncle Sam is champing at the bit, with millions of tax returns about to come pouring into IRS offices over the next few months.

And here in Philadelphia, a local agency is once again launching its free tax preparation services for lower income families.

The Campaign for Working Families in Philadelphia says now is the time to get ready.  Director Mary Arthur says the agency is launching its eleventh year of offering free tax preparation help to lower income Philadelphia residents.

“All of our volunteers and staffers are certified through the IRS,” she says.   “Listen — you can save up to $500 (by using the free service), and what a person can do with that type of money, if you think about it: utilities, food, even rent.”

The campaign has eleven tax preparation sites throughout the city, including a new one at 1207 Chestnut Street, in center city.  There’s also a drop-off site at the “311 Center,” at City Hall.  And additional online help is available at myfreetaxes.com.

Services are offered to families earning less than $51,000 per year or individuals earning less than $20,000.

More info at www.CWFPhilly.org (although the web site was not working at noontime today), or by calling the City of Philadelphia call center, 311.