Athens County residents who need help preparing their taxes can now look to The Plains.
The Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, with the help of the Internal Revenue Service, is hosting a free tax assistance program called the Fast & Free Athens County Tax Assistance Center. The program began Jan. 17 and lasts until April 12 at The Work Station, 70 North Plains Rd., in The Plains.
The Children's Defense Fund, in conjunction with the IRS, contacted Athens County to create the program, said Tracy Galway, Community Relations Coordinator for the Department of Job and Family Services.
The county is able to offer the service for free because it is using trained volunteers, an already existing computer lab and free computer software from the IRS, she said.
The county is focusing on helping residents receive the Earned Income Tax Credit - a refundable federal tax credit that is targeted to lower-income families and individuals, she said.
According to a news release, last year 3,993 Athens County citizens received the credit with the average refund being $2,410.
Department of Job and Family Services officials also are urging residents using this service to open a savings or checking account to take advantage of the direct deposit option to receive the refund quickly.
All they have to do is step over and set up an account with a minimum of $25
said Sue Mullins, assistant manager of the Athens Branch Hocking Valley Credit Union. You have to live in our service area (Athens Hocking Jackson
Vinton
Meigs or Gallia counties) and have no other credit union available to you.
Setting up an account also will discourage residents from seeking a rapid refund some tax claim preparers offer, Galway said. Many states have warned against the rapid refund option because it is actually a loan that charges large amounts of interest.
They might get their cash on the spot
but with the direct deposit
they can get their refund quickly without incurring any extra fees
Galway said.
According to the Center for Law & Human Services, taxpayers who receive the rapid refund can pay an annual percentage rate of 300 to 1000 percent on the loan.
Jessica Baer, the program's volunteer coordinator, expects more people to take advantage of the service once they begin receiving their W-2 forms.
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