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County highlights free tax-prep program, says volunteers returned millions to residents
Summary
County officials and United Way partners urged residents to use OC Free Tax Prep and the California Earned Income Tax Credit; they reported that volunteers prepared about 13,751 returns last year and that participating households saved an estimated $3.4 million in fees.
Vice Chair Katrina Foley and partners on Feb. 9 urged eligible Orange County residents to use OC Free Tax Prep clinics and to claim available tax credits, including the federal and California Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).
Foley highlighted the county partnership with United Way and said volunteers provided 22,402 hours of assistance last year and helped prepare 13,751 tax returns, saving residents about $3.4 million in tax-preparation fees. A United Way representative said their coalition partners include Abrazar and the Asian American Senior Citizen Service Center and noted that many eligible families fail to claim credits; "1 in 5 families that are eligible for earned income tax credits do not claim them," they said.
The board and county staff encouraged registrations at county-hosted sites (one event on Feb. 26 at Laguna Hills Community Center was announced) and signposted the Franchise Tax Board website for eligibility information. County officials emphasized EITC outreach as a proven anti-poverty strategy that returns money directly to low-income workers and can improve child and maternal health outcomes.
Next steps: County offices will continue to host and support OC Free Tax Prep events through the tax season and provide information through district offices and partner organizations.
