Free Tax Preparation Program Available for County Residents Who Qualify

For those struggling financially during the recession, every dollar matters.

That's why the United Way is doing everything they can to help those in need to receive every dollar they qualify for this tax season through Hillsborough County's Prosperity Campaign, which prepares free tax returns for residents who qualify at locations in Carrollwood and across Tampa Bay.

The program aims to help families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can put up to $5,600 back into the pockets of struggling families, but the IRS estimates that as many as 20 percent of those who qualify fail to claim it when filing their taxes.

That's a problem the United Way and the Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough County would like to rectify.

A lot of families just don't know that they are eligible for the credit, says Niki Paksoy, a director at the United Way of Tampa Bay.

Through its free tax preparations services, which many people in the area qualify for, trained volunteers at locations all over the county are on hand to assist in making sure those in need receive the credits they are eligible for.

With nearly 30 locations across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties - including the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library at 2902 W. Bearss Ave in Carrollwood - the United Way has a trained staff of volunteers ready to lend a hand.

By offering free tax assistance, officials at the United Way are also hoping to persuade working class families from falling into the trap of a refund anticipation loan, which often times charge exorbitant interest rates.

Here's how Paksoy explained it: Imagine you are a single parent with children and you are expecting to get $2,000 as a refund. Some tax preparation services charge up to $700 in interest, on top of the $100 fee you've paid to do your taxes. You'd end up with a refund of $1,200 instead of $2,000, he said.

Last tax season more than nine thousand individuals received EITC assistance, and with the downturned economy, United Way officials are expecting even more will qualify for the first time this year. They ask that anyone with income under $50,000 should see if they qualify.

Along with their in-house services, the United Way is also offering a new online filing service called Beehive, free to households that made less than $57,000 last year.

For more information, including a list of locations and service hours, call 211, the county's helpline. Or, visit The United Way of Tampa Bay online  at http://www.unitedwaytampabay.org.